Apical periodontitis and endodontic status in a Trakya population with cancer and autoimmune diseases: A cross-sectional study

Purpose:The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare the endodontic and periapical status of patients with cancer or autoimmune diseases (AD) with that of healthy patients matched by age and sex.Additionally, the cancer and AD groups were compared.Methods: Digital radiographs of 100 patients with cancer, 100 patients with autoimmune diseases, and healthy patients (200) matched for age and gender were evaluated.The total number of teeth, root canal-filling teeth (RCFT), quality, presence and number of apical periodontitis (AP) were examined.Results: No significant differences were observed in terms of teeth with AP periodontitis between the cancer and control groups, as well as between AD and control groups.The results of the univariate logistic regression analysis revealed a positive association between cancer and the values of RCFTs and inadequate RCFTs (iRCFT) (RCFT p < 0.001; iRCFT p = 0.018), as well as a positive association between autoimmune disease and RCFTs (p = 0.001). Conclusion:The results showed that AP was similar between the cancer and AD and control groups.Patients with a history of cancer or AD who are clinically considered high-risk should attend regular dental visits.