Patient-Reported and Assessment of Mothers’Oral Health [PRAM’OH Study]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Self-reported questionnaire and gum health investigations to explore demographic, clinical and behavioural factors influencing the link between gum disease and preterm birth in East London hospitals
IRAS ID
134782
Contact name
Cecilia Gonzales-Marin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary University of London
Research summary
Scientific studies are increasingly suggesting a strong link between gum disease and premature delivery; however the link is still inconsistent as many other studies show no link exist. Prematurity is a highly distressing condition affecting 8% of deliveries in the UK. In 50% of these cases, parents would not know what was the cause of the complication. This is a mayor public health concern that also represents high costs to the NHS service in a short and a long-term. Whether gum disease is affecting this particular group of pregnant women in a way that may be having an effect on the outcome of the pregnancy, should require immediate attention.
The purpose of this study is to broaden our understanding on a number of factors that may influence the proposed link on an East London population of women. Factors that will be investigated include self-reported oral hygiene habits, dental attendance, knowledge and use of free NHS dental care, and knowledge of the potential gum-pregnancy link. Information regarding the existence of other known conditions that can predispose to prematurity will be also collected. Approximately six hundred participants are expected to be included in the study. The information will be collected using an on-line questionnaire (using an iPad) from women who recently delivered a baby at one of the East London Hospitals during a 6-9 month period. This will be followed by an examination of their gums and collection of samples of saliva and plaque to search for levels of disease and oral bacterial patterns.
The information collected will be then scrutinized and analysed by comparing results from those who had premature and term deliveries. This study will serve to provide a better understanding of dental behavior before and during pregnancy and will inform the need of future studies.REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1456
Date of REC Opinion
27 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion