LOS ÁNGELES, ESTADOS UNIDOS: Los resultados del estudio más grande de los abusadores de la metanfetamina hasta la fecha han sido publicados recientemente. Si bien la evidencia de condiciones orales relacionadas con el uso del fármaco adictivo estimulante fue en gran parte anecdótica, el estudio muestra tasas desproporcionadamente altas de enfermedades dentales en los abusadores, y las mujeres abusadoras en particular.
En el estudio, los investigadores de la Universidad de California en Los Ángeles investigaron los patrones y la gravedad de la enfermedad dental en 571 consumidores de metanfetamina, que se sometieron a exámenes orales integrales y evaluaciones psicosociales. Encontraron altas tasas de enfermedad dental y periodontal y una relación dosis-respuesta, con mayores niveles de uso de metanfetamina asociado con mayores tasas de enfermedad dental. Más del 96 por ciento de los participantes experimentaron caries dentales y el 58 por ciento tuvo caries no tratadas. Solo el 23 por ciento retuvo todos sus dientes naturales. Casi el 3 por ciento eran desdentados.
The researchers also found that women in the study had higher rates of tooth loss and caries, as well as increased prevalence of anterior caries, than did male participants. Current cigarette smokers also had greater prevalence of untreated caries and root caries.
About 40 percent expressed feelings of embarrassment regarding their dental appearance.
“The prevalence and patterns of dental and periodontal disease could be used to alert dentists to possible covert methamphetamine use and to plan treatment. Concerns about dental appearance have potential as triggers for behavioral interventions,” the researchers concluded.
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive central nervous system stimulant that can be injected, inhaled via the nose, smoked, or ingested orally. Long-term methamphetamine abuse can cause addiction, anxiety, insomnia, mood disturbances and violent behavior. In addition, psychotic symptoms, such as paranoia, hallucinations and delusions, can occur. According to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 1.2 million people (0.4 percent of the U.S. population) reported using methamphetamine in the past year, and 440,000 (0.2 percent) reported using it in the past month. The average new methamphetamine user in 2012 was 19.7 years old.
The study, titled “Dental disease patterns in methamphetamine users,” was published in the December issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association.
FUENTE: https://am.dental-tribune.com/news/study-provides-first-scientific-insights-into-meth-mouth/