The Impact of Heavy Alcohol Use on Saliva and Oral Health

Description

Background: People with alcohol use disorder (AUD) have a higher rate of dental and gum disease. Poor oral health can increase the risk of other diseases, such as diabetes and stroke. Researchers want to learn more about how to identify developing inflammation in the mouth. They also want to know how improved oral health education and behaviors can affect inflammation in people with AUD. Objective: This study has 2 goals: (1) to test the usefulness of a new questionnaire about oral health and (2) to learn more about how oral health behaviors affect inflammation in people with AUD. Eligibility: People aged 18 years and older who are staying on an inpatient unit being treated for AUD. Healthy volunteers are also needed. Design: The study is divided into 2 parts: People will participate in either one part or the other. In part 1, participants will have 1 visit. They will have a physical exam. They will answer 18 questions for a survey about how they care for their teeth. In part 2, participants with AUD will have a physical exam. They will provide saliva and blood samples. They will have a dental exam with X-rays. They will fill out questionnaires about their health, mental health, social habits, diet, and sleep. They will keep a diary of their nicotine use for 4 weeks while inpatient. Healthy volunteers will have 1 visit. They will have a physical exam and provide blood and saliva samples. They will have a dental exam with X-rays. They will fill out questionnaires.

Conditions

Alcohol Use Disorder, Alcohol Dependence

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Background: People with alcohol use disorder (AUD) have a higher rate of dental and gum disease. Poor oral health can increase the risk of other diseases, such as diabetes and stroke. Researchers want to learn more about how to identify developing inflammation in the mouth. They also want to know how improved oral health education and behaviors can affect inflammation in people with AUD. Objective: This study has 2 goals: (1) to test the usefulness of a new questionnaire about oral health and (2) to learn more about how oral health behaviors affect inflammation in people with AUD. Eligibility: People aged 18 years and older who are staying on an inpatient unit being treated for AUD. Healthy volunteers are also needed. Design: The study is divided into 2 parts: People will participate in either one part or the other. In part 1, participants will have 1 visit. They will have a physical exam. They will answer 18 questions for a survey about how they care for their teeth. In part 2, participants with AUD will have a physical exam. They will provide saliva and blood samples. They will have a dental exam with X-rays. They will fill out questionnaires about their health, mental health, social habits, diet, and sleep. They will keep a diary of their nicotine use for 4 weeks while inpatient. Healthy volunteers will have 1 visit. They will have a physical exam and provide blood and saliva samples. They will have a dental exam with X-rays. They will fill out questionnaires.

Quantifying Associations of Stress and Inflammation-Associated Oral Biomarkers With Oral Health, Oral Health Behaviors, Systemic Biomarkers and Clinical Phenotype in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

The Impact of Heavy Alcohol Use on Saliva and Oral Health

Condition
Alcohol Use Disorder
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Bethesda

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study.
  • * Treatment-seeking individuals aged 18 years or older.
  • * Able to read and speak English.
  • * Admitted and consented for 14-AA-0181 at the NIH CC for inpatient treatment.
  • * BMI less than or equal to 30 kg/m\^2.
  • * Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study.
  • * Individuals aged 18 years or older.
  • * Able to read and speak English.
  • * Self-reported to be in good physical health.
  • * BMI less than or equal to 30 kg/m\^2.
  • * AUDIT score below 8.
  • * The presence of a condition or illness that would hamper the individual giving informed consent (e.g., cognitive impairment).
  • * The presence of a condition or illness that would prevent the individual to have a diagnostic oral examination (e.g., oral cancer of the mouth, Sjogren s syndrome).
  • * Currently taking or have taken any of the following medications within the last month by self-report; Antibiotics, Corticosteroids, Immunosuppressive or Cytotoxic agents.
  • * Pregnant or breastfeeding
  • * Subjects who participate in Part 1 of the protocol will not be eligible for Part 2.
  • * Non-English speakers: we do not have a Spanish version of OHBA, and we are exploring cognitive interviewing of the instrument in English currently. Also, the pt s on 1SE (half of the focused population for this study) are not typically Spanish speakers. We also do not have many of the surveys we plan to administer in Spanish, and they may not be available in other languages.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 100 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC),

Katherine A Maki, C.R.N.P., PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)

Study Record Dates

2026-12-31