Salivary flow in patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis under drug treatment with Methotrexate and Etanercept: single or combined administration

Aim of the study: Compare the effect of drug therapy with Methotrexate and Etanercept, combined or single therapy, on the quantity of basal and stimulated average salivary flow in patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Materials and methods: 22 patients, 17 females and 9 males, aged between 7 and 25 years, were selected. 12 were under drug treatment with Methotrexate (A), 7 with Etanercept (B) and 3 under combined therapy (C). Basal and stimulated (citric acid) salivary flow was monitored for 5 minutes and the relevant data were compared to the standard values described by Leo M. Sreeby and Arjan Vissin (0,25mL/min≤ V basal salivary flow≤0,35mL/min; 1mL/min ≤ V stimulated salivary flow≤3 mL/min) and to the results of a previous study, which suggested that this drugs reduce 33% of salivary flow. Results: The collected data individuate: • Group A: a basal salivary flow of 0,2mL/min and stimulated of 0,8mL/min; • Group B: a basal salivary flow of 0,25mL and stimulated of 0,99mL/min; • Group C: a basal salivary flow of 0,2mL/min and stimulated of 0,8mL/min. Conclusions: Although the sample is not sufficient to express a reliable judgment, actual data indicate that Methotrexate, in single or combined administration, lowers salivary flow, with probable repercussions on patients' oral health. Considering the proper oral-dental preventive strategies should therefore be suitable.