Researchers have turned to Peptest to investigate a connection between reflux and soft tissue lesions in the oral cavity.

The most common signs of oral lesions caused by gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD/GERD) include dental erosion, periodontitis, gingivitis, as well as gingival, palatal and tongue rashes.

Previous studies have shown that tissues in the oesophagus and throat are sensitive to pepsin, and a small quantity of activated pepsin can cause inflammation in the cells of the oesophagus and throat, leading to discomfort.

So, in a new study, researchers sought to determine the possible correlation between a positive Peptest – the detection of pepsin in saliva – and soft tissue lesions in the oral cavity.

The one-year study was conducted in the Otolaryngology Clinic of the Gaspare Rodolico Hospital with 100 patients aged between 18 and 70 years, were examined. 52 per cent of the tests were positive, leading to the diagnosis of GERD. It’s published in ACTA MEDICA MEDITERRANEA International Scientific Journal of Clinical Medicine.

Examinations showed that of those 52 GERD patients, 30 per cent (16 out of 52) had dental erosions; 20 per cent (10 out of 52) had clinically detectable soft tissue lesions, such as periodontitis, gingivitis, erythema of the palate, glossitis; 20 per cent (10 out of 52) had dental erosions and soft tissue lesions and 30 per cent (16 out of 52) had no lesions.

Performing the same objective examination on the 48 healthy subjects showed that only eight per cent (four out of 48) had dental erosions, four per cent (two out of 48) had soft tissue lesions, and 88 per cent (42 out of 48) had no lesions.

In conclusion

The study results show a strong correlation between GERD and soft tissue lesions of the oral cavity. Patients with GERD are more susceptible to developing hard and soft tissue lesions in the oral cavity than healthy subjects.

Researchers say that – in conjunction with a possible diagnosis of GERD – the early detection of these lesions makes Peptest a decisive aid to hinder the exacerbation of the problem.