A Prospective evaluation of the oral condition and the analisys of salivary inorganics biochemical components in patients submitted to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)

Author(s)

Camila Cominato Boer

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
• Defense date: 2015-02-06

Examining board members

Afonso Celso Vigorito; Cassius Carvalho Torres Pereira; Maria Claudia Rodrigues Moreira; Francisco Jose Penteado Aranha; Jacks Jorge Junior

• Advisor: Afonso Celso Vigorito; Maria Elvira Pizzigatti Corrêa

Abstract

Recent studies have considered the qualitative and quantitative assessment of salivary flow, as well the biochemical components of saliva, as possible biomarkers that might contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic Graft-Versus-host-Disease (cGHVD) in HSCT patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inorganic salivary status at different periods of allogeneic HSCT and cGVHD onset, prospectively. Patients were evaluated in pre-HSCT, between the days 8 and 10, 80 and 100 days without cGVHD, and at the onset of oral cGVHD. Oral health indexes, mucositis, and oral cGVHD were prospectively evaluated by oral clinical examination. Hyosalivation was clinically evaluated by visual parameters, and patients answered a questionnaire concerning xerostomia, oral pain and sensitivity. Unstimulated saliva was collected to determine the salivary flow rate and the concentrations of Calcium (Ca), Phosphate (Pi), Chloride (Cl), Magnesium (Mg), Potassium (K), and Sodium (Na) using colorimetric reactions and atomic absorption. Fifty-five consecutive patients undergoing first allogeneic HSCT were included in this study. Forty-nine out of 55 (89%) patients were evaluated between the days 8 and 10, and 6 (11%) had died before the evaluation. After the evaluation between 8 and 10 days, 2 out of 49 (4%) patients relapsed, 13 out of 49 (27%) patients died and thirty-four out of 49 (69%) patients remained alive until the end of the study. Twenty-eight out of 34 (82%) patients were evaluated between days 80 and 100 without cGVHD, and twelve out of 34 (35%) were evaluated at oral cGVHD onset, at a median time of 110 days (68-412). Oral health evaluation between the days 8 and 10 showed a higher median of Gingival Index (GI) compared with baseline data (p=0.03), and the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth Index (DMFT) and Plaque Index (PI) presented no statistical difference. Thirty-two out of 49 (65%) patients developed grade 2-4 oral mucositis associated with a high dose conditioning regimen (p=0.03) and younger patients (p=0.02). Between the days 8 and 10 younger patients and those who received high dose conditioning had more oral pain (p=0.03) and (p=0.02), respectively. The salivary flow rate was significant higher compared with the baseline between days 8 and 10 (p=0.05), Pi concentration was decreased, (p=0.007) and Na and Cl were increased (p=0.001), (p=0.001), respectively. The analysis of the salivary flow rate during the same period showed a negative correlation with Pi concentration (p=0.02) and a positive correlation with Na and Cl concentration, (p=0.003) and (p=0.001), respectively. Patients who received a high dose conditioning regimen presented a lower Pi concentration (p=0.05), and regardless of the conditioning regimen, no other biochemical component showed statistical difference. Xerostomia was more frequent between the days 80 and 100 in high dose, compared with reduced dose conditioning (p=0.05). The salivary flow rate was decreased between days 80 and 100 (p=0.02) and Na, Cl and K concentration was increased, (p=0.03), (p=0.02) and (p=0.003), respectively. The analysis of the salivary flow rate during the same period showed a negative correlation with Na and Cl, (p=0.01) and (p=0.013), respectively. Patients who received high dose conditioning regimen presented a lower Na concentration (p=0.05), whereas those who underwent a reduced dose conditioning regimen presented higher Na and Pi concentrations (p=0.05),( p=0,04), respectively. No other statistical difference was detected in the other biochemical components regardless of the conditioning regimen. At cGVHD onset, the salivary flow rate showed no statistical difference compared with the other periods. A trend was observed in the higher Na concentration compared with the baseline (p=0.06) and Pi concentration presented a significant decrease (p=0.004). Ca and Mg concentrations showed no changes during all evaluation periods. The present study showed changes in inorganic salivary components in post-HSCT periods, mainly during oral cavity inflammation, such as mucositis and cGVHD. We speculate that Na, Cl, and Pi in saliva could be used as a potential biomarker for oral inflammatory activity in further studies (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/00165-4 - Prospective evaluation of regulatories T cells activities in oral mucosal and minor salivary glands and analysis of salivary composition from patients submmited to allogeneic steam cell transplantation.
• Grantee: Camila Cominato Boer
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate