title: Prevalence of apical periodontitis and frequency of root canal treatments in liver transplant candidates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) and endodontic treatment in liver transplant candidates and control healthy subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive cross-sectional study. Forty two liver transplant candidates (LTC) (study group) and 42 control subjects. Digital panoramic radiographs where used. Periapical status was scored according to the periapical index (PAI). Results were analysed statistically using the Chi-squared test and logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Radiographic signs of AP in one or more teeth was found in 79% of patients in the study group and in 50% of control subjects (p = 0.008; OR = 3.7; C. I. 95% = 1.4 - 9.5). One or more root-filled teeth (RFT) were found in 19% and 62% of study and control subjects, respectively (p = 0.0001; OR = 0.14; 95% C. I. = 0.05 - 0.38). Among LTC patients 14.7% of the teeth had AP, whereas in the control subjects 4.2% of teeth were affected (p= 0.0002). The percentage of RFT in the study and control groups was 1.5% and 6.8%, respectively (p = 0.0002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Liver transplant candidates have significantly higher prevalence of radiographic periapical lesions and lower frequency of RFT than controls healthy subjects.
authors.affiliation: University of Sevilla, C/ Avicena s/n, 41009-Sevilla, Spain, segurajj@us.es.
authors.forename: Lizett
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Castellanos-Cosano
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Machuca-Portillo
authors.forename: Juan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Segura-Sampedro
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Torres-Lagares
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: López-López
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Velasco-Ortega
authors.forename: Juan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Segura-Egea
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*