| Abstract [eng] |
Relevance of the problem and aim of the study. In recent years, the incidence of eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, has been increasing. These disorders have a significant impact not only on overall human health but also on oral health. Dentists are often the first specialists able to detect oral changes that may indicate a potential eating disorder. Therefore, it is crucial for professionals in this field to recognize early symptoms, inform patients about possible consequences, and refer them to appropriate treatment. The aim of this study is to identify and describe the main oral health changes associated with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, as well as to assess the knowledge of individuals with eating disorders regarding these pathologies. Materials and methods. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted, with data collected between May and November 2025. A total of 121 individuals with current or past eating disorders participated in the study, selected using purposive sampling. Participants who voluntarily agreed and met the inclusion criteria were included, while those who did not complete the questionnaire or did not meet the criteria were excluded. Data were collected using an anonymous 45 - question survey distributed via the Google Forms platform, covering demographic characteristics, information about eating disorders, oral health, knowledge, and oral hygiene habits. The questionnaire was distributed online through social media and provided to patients of “Eating Disorders Treatment and Information Center (public institution)”. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics 27 software, applying descriptive statistics and the Chi - square (χ²) test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results. The majority of respondents were female (90.1 %, n = 109), and the predominant age group was 21–30 years (40.5 %, n = 49). Nearly half of the respondents (48.8 %, n = 59) were diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, 24 % (n = 29) with bulimia nervosa, and 27.3% (n = 33) with other disorders, often lasting ≥ 5 years (43 %, n = 52). Although almost all respondents (97.5 %, n = 118) visited a dentist, a considerable proportion (31.4 %, n = 38) avoided visits or did not follow individualized oral hygiene recommendations provided by dentists (11.6 %, n = 14). Nearly half of the respondents (46.3 %, n = 56) reported binge eating episodes, a similar proportion (41.3 %, n = 50) reported teeth grinding, and 38.8 % (n = 47) reported vomiting episodes. Significant associations were found between the duration of eating disorders and oral health problems (p = 0.034), knowledge about the effects of vomiting on oral health (p < 0.05), knowledge of oral care after vomiting episodes (p = 0.046), and the desire to receive more information on the topic (p = 0.046). A statistically significant relationship was also found between the type of eating disorder and oral health problems (p = 0.032), as well as knowledge about the effects of vomiting on oral health (p = 0.038). Finally, an association was observed between age and knowledge of oral care after vomiting episodes (p = 0.03). Conclusion. Oral health and related knowledge among individuals with eating disorders are closely associated with the type and duration of the disorder, as well as the patient’s age, but show little dependence on demographic factors. Keywords. Eating disorders, oral health, erosion, anorexia, bulimia. |
