Is an Oral Health Status a Predictor of Functional Improvement in Ischemic Stroke Patients Undergoing Comprehensive Rehabilitation Treatment?

Abstract

The study’s aim was a clinical observation concerning the influence of oral health on functional status in stroke patients undergoing neurorehabilitation. This pilot cross-sectional clinical study was performed in 60 subacute phase stroke patients during 12 weeks of treatment. The program was patient-specific and consisted of neurodevelopmental treatment by a comprehensive rehabilitation team. The functional assessment was performed using the Barthel index (BI), Berg balance scale (BBS), functional independence measure (FIM), and Addenbrooke’s cognitive examination III (ACE III) scales. Oral health was assessed according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, and it was presented using DMFT, DMFS, gingival index (GI), and plaque index (PlI). Significant improvement in many functional scales was noticed. However, important differences in most dental parameters without relevant changes in GI and PlI after the study were not observed. Reverse interdependence (p p < 0.05). The present research revealed that poor oral health status in patients after stroke might be associated with inpatient rehabilitation results.

Keywords

• oral health
• exercises
• brain
• teeth health
• clinical assessment
• neurology