Relationship between non-ulcerative functional dyspepsia, occlusal pairs and masticatory performance in partially...

To relate occlusal state, masticatory performance and non-ulcerative functional dyspepsia.

In spite of the relationship between gastric disturbances and number of present teeth being recognised, the influence of the number of occlusal pairs and masticatory performance, expressed as median particle size, has not been considered.

Thirty-eight subjects (mean age = 71.8 ± 7.7 years) diagnosed with non-ulcerative functional dyspepsia were selected. A further 38 healthy subjects (mean age = 71.9 ± 7.0 years) acted as controls. Subjects were subdivided according to their number of occlusal pairs: (1) 0-4, (2) 5-9 and (3) 10-14. Masticatory performance was evaluated by using the sieving method. Data were analysed using 2-way anova and Bonferroni post-hoc, Chi-square and Odd ratio tests.

Subjects presenting with non-ulcerative functional dyspepsia and 0-4 occlusal pairs showed the lowest masticatory performance (p < 0.01). No association between the dyspepsia and the number of occlusal pairs (χ(2) = 0.48, p = 0.785) was observed, however results showed association between functional dyspepsia and masticatory performance (χ(2) = 4.07, p = 0.0437) presenting an odds ratio = 3.46 (Confidence Interval = 0.99-12.10).

Changes in masticatory performance were associated with the presence of non-ulcerative functional dyspepsia.