Evaluation of the salivary composition, flow rate and pH, halitosis and taste in children with or without Asthma

• Grant number: 13/07207-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2013
• End date: August 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Pediatric Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Taís de Souza Barbosa
• Grantee: Amanda Nicola Zanon
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba (FOP). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this study will be to evaluate the composition, flow rate, and pH, halitosis, and taste in 72 children, 36 asthmatics and 36 controls, aged seven to nine years, both genders, aged seven to nine years, both genders, from a public medical clinic and public schools of Piracicaba, SP, respectively. The risk factors associated with asthma will be assessed by applying a structured questionnaire to parents or caregivers. All clinical procedures will be performed in the morning, between 8:00 and 10:00 hours, being the subjects eaten 2h before the exam and brushed their teeth soon after. The concentration of sulfurated compounds volatile (hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl sulfide) will be verified using a gas chromatograph, Oral Chroma®. The salivary flow rate will be determined by collecting saliva by mechanical stimulation (chewing Parafilm®) and without stimulation, and then pH and the concentrations of total protein, amylase, calcium, urea, and lipids will be determined by spectrophotometry. In addition, the limiar will be evaluated to detect the four primary tastes (sweet, salty, sour, and bitter) in three different concentrations. The description and the relationship between the variables under study will be evaluated using descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test, correlation tests (Pearson or Spearman), and tests of means ("t" Student / Mann-Whitney test). Multiple logistic regression models with stepwise backward elimination will verify the relationship between the presence of asthma (as the dependent variable) and the flow, pH, and composition of saliva, halitosis, and taste, controlling for gender and age (± = 0.05). (AU)