Association between dental amalgam fillings and multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Mercury is a neurotoxic element that is released from dental amalgam restorations. Since circumstantial evidence exists that the pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease might be in part caused or exacerbated by inorganic mercury, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis...

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Main Authors: Ali Taghavi Zonouz, Fatemeh Pournaghi Azar, Solmaz Pourzare, Hossien Hosinifard, Zahra Molaei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Press 2023-08-01
Series:Journal of Research in Clinical Medicine
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Online Access:https://jrcm.tbzmed.ac.ir/PDF/jrcm-11-18.pdf
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author Ali Taghavi Zonouz
Fatemeh Pournaghi Azar
Solmaz Pourzare
Hossien Hosinifard
Zahra Molaei
author_facet Ali Taghavi Zonouz
Fatemeh Pournaghi Azar
Solmaz Pourzare
Hossien Hosinifard
Zahra Molaei
author_sort Ali Taghavi Zonouz
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Mercury is a neurotoxic element that is released from dental amalgam restorations. Since circumstantial evidence exists that the pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease might be in part caused or exacerbated by inorganic mercury, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using a comprehensive search strategy. Methods: Data bases (PubMed, Google scholar, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus, Ovid, Proquest, and Web of Science) were searched systematically to find the relationship between dental amalgam and MS. Studies were screened according to a pre-defined protocol. The quality of the articles was evaluated by two individuals. The titles and abstracts of the articles were organized and duplicate articles were discovered with the help of Endnote X5 resource management software. Finally, 6 articles were included in the meta-analysis. Random effect model was chosen to conduct the meta-analysis. Results: Pooled mean difference of restoration numbers between two groups was 0.58 (95% CI: 0.33-0.83, P value<0.001) with greater numbers in MS patients. The pooled OR was 1.02 (95% CI, 0.86-1021, P=0.81), which was slightly higher for those with amalgam so they were more likely to develop MS. This slight increase in risk was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Although those who underwent a large number of amalgam fillings were at higher risk for MS, the difference between the two groups of patients and controls was statistically insignificant. It seems that the number of amalgam fillings can be an influential factor in the possibility of developing MS.
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spelling doaj-art-9b5d33118bfc42a8a2b16d6fc9e9b70e2025-08-20T02:57:48ZengTabriz University of Medical Sciences PressJournal of Research in Clinical Medicine2717-06162023-08-01111181810.34172/jrcm.2023.31924jrcm-31924Association between dental amalgam fillings and multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysisAli Taghavi Zonouz0Fatemeh Pournaghi Azar1Solmaz Pourzare2Hossien Hosinifard3Zahra Molaei4Department of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranDepartment of Operative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranDepartment of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranTabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranFaculty of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranIntroduction: Mercury is a neurotoxic element that is released from dental amalgam restorations. Since circumstantial evidence exists that the pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease might be in part caused or exacerbated by inorganic mercury, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using a comprehensive search strategy. Methods: Data bases (PubMed, Google scholar, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus, Ovid, Proquest, and Web of Science) were searched systematically to find the relationship between dental amalgam and MS. Studies were screened according to a pre-defined protocol. The quality of the articles was evaluated by two individuals. The titles and abstracts of the articles were organized and duplicate articles were discovered with the help of Endnote X5 resource management software. Finally, 6 articles were included in the meta-analysis. Random effect model was chosen to conduct the meta-analysis. Results: Pooled mean difference of restoration numbers between two groups was 0.58 (95% CI: 0.33-0.83, P value<0.001) with greater numbers in MS patients. The pooled OR was 1.02 (95% CI, 0.86-1021, P=0.81), which was slightly higher for those with amalgam so they were more likely to develop MS. This slight increase in risk was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Although those who underwent a large number of amalgam fillings were at higher risk for MS, the difference between the two groups of patients and controls was statistically insignificant. It seems that the number of amalgam fillings can be an influential factor in the possibility of developing MS.https://jrcm.tbzmed.ac.ir/PDF/jrcm-11-18.pdfamalgamdental amalgammultiple sclerosis
spellingShingle Ali Taghavi Zonouz
Fatemeh Pournaghi Azar
Solmaz Pourzare
Hossien Hosinifard
Zahra Molaei
Association between dental amalgam fillings and multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Journal of Research in Clinical Medicine
amalgam
dental amalgam
multiple sclerosis
title Association between dental amalgam fillings and multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Association between dental amalgam fillings and multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Association between dental amalgam fillings and multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Association between dental amalgam fillings and multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Association between dental amalgam fillings and multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort association between dental amalgam fillings and multiple sclerosis a systematic review and meta analysis
topic amalgam
dental amalgam
multiple sclerosis
url https://jrcm.tbzmed.ac.ir/PDF/jrcm-11-18.pdf
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AT solmazpourzare associationbetweendentalamalgamfillingsandmultiplesclerosisasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis
AT hossienhosinifard associationbetweendentalamalgamfillingsandmultiplesclerosisasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis
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