Apical Periodontitis and Mental Health

The aim of the present case-control study is to evaluate the association between apical periodontitis (AP) and mental health conditions, specifically anxiety and depression. Subjects will be enrolled from the Unit of Endodontics and Conservative Dentistry of the University of Siena.

The inclusion criteria of the study are healthy patients older than 18 years, the ability and willingness to give informed consent, and the presence of untreated periapical lesions for the case group. Participants without apical periodontitis will be included in the control group. Participants affected by systemic diseases such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, those using corticosteroid drugs, and those in stage 3 or 4 of periodontitis will be excluded. Additional exclusion criteria include the use of antibiotics within the last 6 months, inability to give informed consent, and pregnancy or lactation.

Seventy-one subjects fulfilling the described criteria will be enrolled and allocated into two distinct groups based on the presence or absence of apical periodontitis. Group 1 will consist of patients with radiographic evidence of AP, and Group 2 will consist of healthy controls free from clinical and radiographic signs of AP. The AP+ group will include patients with at least one tooth showing radiographic evidence of apical radiolucency.

To perform the initial screening, participants will undergo panoramic radiography, clinical examination, and periapical radiographs using the long cone paralleling technique to assess suspected AP. The following parameters will be recorded:

• The number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT index)
• The number of teeth with apical periodontitis
• Periapical Index (PAI) Score

All mental health assessments will be conducted using standardized psychiatric scales, including the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), to evaluate the severity of depression and anxiety, respectively.

Additionally, smoking status (current, former, or non-smoker) will be recorded to explore its association with apical periodontitis and its potential impact on anxiety and depression scores.

The results expected from this study are:

• A potential correlation between apical periodontitis and increased anxiety and depression scores (HAM-A and HAM-D).
• A possible association between smoking habits and the severity of mental health conditions in relation to apical periodontitis.

This study may help to elucidate the connection between oral and mental health, highlighting the importance of holistic health care approaches that consider both physical and psychological factors.

Inclusion criteria

• Ability and willingness to give written consent;
• Age above 18 years old;
• Presence of an untreated periapical lesion for the case group;
• Absence of a periapical lesion for the control group.

Exclusion criteria

• Diabetes;
• Rheumatoid Arthritis;
• Use of corticosteroid drugs;
• Stage 3 and 4 of periodontitis;
• Inability or unwillingness to give informed consent.