Sleep bruxism, together with obstructive sleep apnoea, is one of the most common sleep disorders. Despite this, the impact of this condition on the entire human body is still not fully understood. For a long time, sleep bruxism was treated as a strictly dental problem. It was perceived only in terms of abrasion of dental crowns with complications in the area of dentistry, we read in the press release issued by the Medical University of Wrocław.

'We now know that this view is incomplete. New evidence has emerged suggesting that sleep bruxism may be associated with systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, which underlie most internal diseases, including the development of hypertension, atherosclerosis, and thus the risk of adverse cardiovascular events. We also have a psychiatric aspect, because bruxism, combined with sleep disorders, also affects the psyche, worsening the quality of life of patients', says Michał Fułek, MD, quoted in the press release.

'Assessment of inflammatory marker concentrations in patients with sleep disorders' is the title of Fułek's doctoral dissertation in the Medical University of Wrocław Doctoral School, under the supervision of Helena Martynowicz, PhD, a professor at the Medical University of Wrocław. Scientists from the Department and Clinic of Diabetology, Arterial Hypertension and Internal Medicine and the Department and Institute of Experimental Dentistry at the Medical University of Wrocław have been researching these issues for several years.

'In my research, I focus on the relationship between bruxism and oxidative stress and inflammation in the context of cardiovascular diseases. Is bruxism, like obstructive sleep apnoea, a risk factor for stroke and heart attack, among other things?'- the doctoral candidate asks.

Episodes of nocturnal bruxism affect 8-13 percent of the population. There is a lack of accurate data because some patients are not properly diagnosed. A polysomnographic test is necessary to diagnose both sleep apnoea and bruxism. Unfortunately, access to this type of laboratory is limited in Poland.

Fułek relies on research conducted in the polysomnographic laboratory in his clinic. Patients remain in the hospital overnight, connected to specialist equipment. During sleep, respiratory movements of the chest and abdomen are recorded, blood saturation is measured, and the following tests are performed: electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG), electrooculogram (EOG) and electromyogram (EMG). The results are analysed in detail and used to diagnose sleep disorders.

'As part of my research, in patients with sleep bruxism diagnosed polysomnographically, I assess the exponents of oxidative stress and the concentration of inflammatory markers', Fułek says.

He then checks the impact of inflammation on the intensity of arousals, the time and efficiency of sleep, and sleep architecture, with particular emphasis on the proportion of slow-wave and REM sleep to shallow sleep N1 and N2.

'Our research, the first one based on a full polysomnographic analysis, shows not only a clear relationship between oxidative stress and the severity of sleep bruxism, but also a significant shortening of the deep non-REM 3 sleep phase in patients with this disorder. Although the literature review suggested possible links between inflammatory markers and bruxism, our study did not confirm significant differences in CRP and IL-6 concentrations between bruxism patients and the control group', the researcher assesses. (PAP)

PAP - Science in Poland

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