Immunoglobulin A deficiency and oral health status: a case-control study.

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Immunoglobulin A (IgA ) is important for mucosal health . Selective IgA deficiency (IgAD ) is the most common primary immunodeficiency but its effect on oral health is unclear . The aim of this study was to investigate dental , periodontal and oral mucosal health in IgAD individuals .In total , 32 adult IgAD subjects were compared with 63 randomly selected individuals . Participants answered questionnaires regarding general and oral health and underwent oral examination , including examination using the periodontal screening and recording (PSR ) system and dental examination using the DMF system .The IgAD individuals had significantly more often undergone tonsillectomy (44 %versus 24 %, p =0 .046 ) and adenoidectomy (31 %versus 8 %, p =0 .003 ) compared with the controls . Furthermore , the IgAD subjects reported having pharyngitis , stomatitis and herpes labialis significantly more often . There was no significant difference in periodontal health (mean PSR index ; 1 .87 versus 1 .77 ) or dental health (mean DMFS ; 51 .3 versus 53 .7 ) between the two cohorts . A positive correlation between Helicobacter pylori infection and severity of periodontitis was found (p =0 .036 ).IgAD predisposes to oral mucosal infections but does not influence periodontal or dental health . This is the first controlled study to include detailed clinical history and investigations , together with full oral and dental examination , in adults with IgAD .