The International Tinnitus Journal

Prevalence of Gingival Enlargement Induced by Antihypertensive Drugs

Introduction: Drug-Induced Gingival Overgrowth (DIGO) is a pathological growth of the gingival tissue, which may occur as a side effect of certain drugs including some antihypertensive drugs, anti-epileptics and immunosuppressants. The literature reports a prevalence of gingival overgrowth among antihypertensive drug users, ranging from 13.5 to 83%. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of (DIGO) and the risk factors associated with it in a group of patients who were taking antihypertensive drugs attending. Erbil Cardiac Center in Erbil, Iraq. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 50 hypertensive patients treated with antihypertensive agents in Erbil Cardiac Center in Erbil region. Gingival overgrowth was clinically assessed using the gingival enlargement index (Miranda-Barent), gingival enlargement index (Miller & Dann) and (Silnes-Leo) Plaque index. Data on age, gender, smoking status, type/dose of antihypertensive medication, and duration of use were collected. Results: Mean age was 58.3±12.9 years, and mean duration of antihypertensive medication uses was less than 5 years in (52%) of the patients, more than half were male (58.0%). The most commonly used antihypertensive agents were Amlodipine (48%), combination therapy contains Amlodipine 5mg (24%), and non-calcium channel blocker (28%). The prevalence of Gingival Overgrowth (GO) was 83%, in Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs) group with the majority being grade I (42%). Gingival overgrowth was significantly associated with amlodipine dose, age and duration of drug use (p<0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence of (DIGO) in patients taking (CCBs) among other antihypertensive medications was significant. Major risk factors were greater doses of Amlodipine, older age, longer duration of drug intake, and larger amount of plaque in the sulcus or pocket along the free gingival margin.