Unstimulated salivary flow rates in patients with hepatitis B virus infection: A case-control study

Abstract

Objective: Salivary dysfunction is one of the extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis  B virus infection. Although the pathophysiology is not fully understood, it  has been linked with immune complex sequelae and liver dysfunction. Unstimulated  salivary flow rate is an accurate measure of salivary gland functionality. The objective of the study was to determine the association between  hepatitis B virus infection and salivary flow rates.

Methods: This case-control study  included 76 patients diagnosed with hepatitis B virus infection and 48 control participants. Socio-demographics and times of diagnosis for the case group were  obtained using a standardized questionnaire and with the aid of patients’ records.  The unstimulated salivary flow rate was determined for all participants using the  suction method and recorded as volume per time (mls/min). Data was presented  using frequencies and proportions, with statistical significance set at p<0.05 while  the 95% confidence level was used to construct confidence intervals around  estimates. 

Results: There was no significant difference between the distribution of  ages and gender of participants in both groups. The average salivary flow rate of the  cases was 0.12mls/min, and was significantly lower (p=0.000) than the control  group with a mean value 0.48mls/min. The distribution of salivary flow rate differed significantly across the duration of initial diagnosis (p = 0.007). 

Conclusion: The  present study shows a substantial association between hepatitis B virus infection  and salivary gland hypofunction, and there appears to be a correlation of the  hypofunction with the chronicity of the disease.