A simplified caries risk test in stimulated saliva from elderly patients.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate and compare lactobacilli species (LB) and mutans streptococci (MS) caries risk identification by means of a Caries Risk Test Bacteria (CRT Bacteria test), with a conventional laboratory test (CLT), as well as their correlation with the dental caries experience [(decayed-missing-filled teeth (DMFT index)] in subjects 60 years of age and older.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Epidemiologic and Health Service Research Unit, Aging Area. XXI Century National Medical Center; Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS).

SUBJECTS

A total of 696 elderly subjects residing in southwestern Mexico City.

METHODS

The DMFT index was determined in 696 subjects and saliva collected by stimulation. This was processed with a CRT Bacteria test and a CLT (the gold standard) test. Subjects with high [> or =10(5) colony forming units (CFU)/ml] and low caries risk (<10(5) CFU/ml) were assessed.

RESULTS

The CRT Bacteria test sensitivity (Sen) and specificity (Spe) were 0.97 and 0.86 for LB, respectively, with positive and negative predictor values of 0.92 and 0.95 respectively. For MS, Sen and Spe was 0.92 and 0.90, and 0.96 and 0.81 respectively. The receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (ROC area) in LB and MS was 0.94 and 0.89, respectively; thus, a correlation existed between the caries experience and the LB and MS caries risk, similar to that present with the CLT test.

CONCLUSION

The CRT Bacteria test shows similar results to those of the CLT test in subjects 60 years of age and over.