Pulp Sensitivity Testing in Multiple Sclerosis: Disease Duration and Sensory/Motor Associations-A Cross-Sectional...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Dentistry
• Immunology

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system.
• Neuropathy is a common complication in MS patients.
• Dental pulp sensitivity testing is an under-explored area for assessing neuropathy in MS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between the duration of multiple sclerosis (MS) and dental pulp sensitivity thresholds.
• To evaluate dental pulp sensitivity as a potential indicator of neuropathy in MS patients.

Main Methods:

• 124 maxillary central incisors from relapsing-remitting MS patients (age 18-50, no trigeminal neuralgia history) were tested.
• Electric pulp testing (EPT) and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane cold spray were used to determine sensitivity thresholds.
• Statistical analysis included paired t-tests, Fisher's exact test, and Spearman correlation (p < 0.05).

Main Results:

• A positive correlation was found between electrical pulp threshold and cold test response time (p=0.025, r=0.2).
• Longer MS duration was associated with significantly elevated thresholds for both EPT and cold tests.
• No significant differences in pulpal response were observed based on age or sensory-motor involvement.

Conclusions:

• Pulpal sensitivity testing shows potential for clinical application in managing MS patients.
• Elevated pulp sensitivity thresholds in MS patients may correlate with disease duration.
• Further research is warranted to validate dental pulp sensitivity as a biomarker for MS neuropathy.