Table 1.
Characteristics of the Participants (N = 48)
| Characteristics | Mean±SD (Range) or n (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis and co-morbidities | ||
| Diffuse cutaneous subtype | 20 (41.7%) | |
| Disease duration (years)ξ | 7.6±6.1 (1.0–24.7) | |
| Oral aperture (mm) | 36.5±9.7 (10.0–56.7) | |
| TAT score > 6 (i.e., manual dexterity impairment) | 36 (75.0%) | |
| Contractures (hand/wrist/elbow) | 12 (25.0%) | |
| Tender/swollen hand joints | 15 (31.2%) | |
| Gastroesophageal reflux disease | 38 (79.2%) | |
| Sicca syndrome | 14 (29.2%) | |
| Sjogren’s syndrome | 4 (10.4%) | |
| Self-report dry mouth symptoms | 35 (72.9%) | |
| Drugs | ||
| Secretagogue | 3 (6.3%) | |
| Calcium channel blocker | 26 (54.2%) | |
| Immunosuppressant | 11 (22.9%) | |
| Socio-demographics | ||
| Age (years) | 50.7±13.0 (22–76) | |
| Female | 38 (79.2%) | |
| African American§ | 26 (54.2%) | |
| Married / live together | 22(45.8%) | |
| Education (less than college) | 27 (56.3%) | |
| Employment (FT and PT) | 18 (37.5%) | |
| Not employed due to disability | 14 (29.2%) | |
| Annual income (< $20,000) | 17 (35.4%) | |
| Annual income (≥ $55,000) | 17 (35.4%) | |
| No dental insurance | 19 (39.6%) | |
| Private dental insurance | 19 (39.6%) | |
| Oral health-related behaviors | ||
| Dental visit (in past 12 months) | 33 (68.8%) | |
| Brush teeth (once a day) | 16 (33.3%) | |
| Brush teeth (at least twice a day) | 31 (64.6%) | |
| Brush teeth (evening) | 31 (64.6%) | |
| Floss teeth (never) | 6 (12.5%) | |
| Floss teeth (once a day) | 18 (37.5%) | |
| Floss teeth (at least twice a day) | 7 (14.6%) | |
| Floss teeth (evening) | 26 (54.2%) | |
| Use mouth rinse (never) | 12 (25.0%) | |
| Use mouth rinse (once a day) | 12 (25.0%) | |
| Use mouth rinse (twice a day) | 4 (8.3%) | |
| Use an oral irrigator | 5 (10.4%) | |
| Have difficulty flossing back teeth | 26 (54.2%) | |
| Have difficulty using dental floss to floss teeth | 26 (54.2%) | |
| Non-smoker (current) | 46 (95.8%) | |
| Did not consume any cans of regular size non-diet soda yesterday | 39 (81.3%) | |
ξ
N = 42, due to missing data;
§
Only African Americans and Caucasians;
FT = full time, PT = part time; SD = standard deviation