Quality of life evaluation, salivary cortisol and amylase levels and electromyographic activity of masticatory muscles and their associations with parafunctional and nutritive habits in children

Abstract

Assessment of stress salivary markers has gotten increasing interest in biomedical and psychological researches. The free cortisol measurement and, recently, the alpha-amylase activity, have demonstrated to be important biomarkers of the endocrine activity in physical and psicossocial stress conditions. The literature suggests that stress and emotional disturbances may be involved in the etiology of stomatognatic parafunctions, like bruxism and persistent sucking habits in children. Thus, the purpose of this study will be to evaluate 150 children aged 6-8 years, in the mixed dentition, divided in two groups according to gender. The following variables will be verified: 1- presence/absence of parafunctional habits (bruxism, nail biting, finger/thumb/lip sucking, and pacifier), breast-or bottle-feeding and malocclusion; 2- quality of life evaluation scale; 3- body variables (weight, height and heart rate); 4- electromyography of masticatory muscles and bite force; 5- salivary levels of free cortisol and alpha-amylase. The results will be submitted to descriptive statistical analysis, Pearson’s correlation test and t-test, where appropriate. A stepwise logistic multiple-regression analysis will be employed to test whether the presence of parafunctions is affected by the variables studied. The significance level will set at p≤0.05. (AU)