Association of MTR and MTRR genes and oral health-related quality of life in children with dental caries

Abstract This study aimed to assess whether genetic polymorphisms in MTR and MTRR are potential biomarkers of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children with caries. A cross-sectional study was designed wherein pairs of parents/caregivers and children (aged two-five years) were selected. Clinical examination was used to detect dental caries, which were classified as low-severity and high-severity caries. The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) questionnaire was used to assess OHRQoL. Genomic DNA extracted from the saliva was used to analyze two missense genetic polymorphisms: MTR (rs1805087) and MTRR (rs1801394). Mann-Whitney non-parametric test was used to analyze candidate genes with OHRQoL scale and domain, with a significance level of p≤0.05. MTR (rs1805087) was found associated (p = 0.05) with children's OHRQoL subscale scores in the dominant model (GG + AG). Genetic polymorphisms in MTR may increase the risk of poor OHRQoL in children with caries. Further studies are needed to investigate genetics, molecular factors, and OHRQoL.

Genetic polymorphisms in TNF-α as a potential biomarker for oral health-related quality of life in children

Abstract: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess if genetic polymorphisms in TNF- α are associated with a negative impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in children with dental caries. A total of 307 pairs of parents/caregivers and children aged two to five years were selected. The children were clinically evaluated and classified according to caries experience and severity of active caries. The Brazilian Portuguese version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) was used to assess OHRQoL. Genotyping analysis of genetic polymorphisms in TNF- α (rs1799724, rs1799964, and rs1800629) was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. In the recessive model, children with the CC genotype of TNF-α (rs1799964) had a significantly high chance of poor OHRQoL in the symptom domain (pain), in both the caries experience (p = 0.045) and the high-severity active caries phenotypes (p = 0.033) (Mann-Whitney U test). It was concluded that genetic polymorphisms in TNF-α are associated with OHRQoL related to the symptom domain (pain), suggesting that TNF-α could be used as a potential biomarker for OHRQoL. Understanding the genetic aspects associated with OHRQoL will allow the early identification of patients with OHRQoL disparities and provide personalized healthcare.