Cultura

Oral Manifestations Associated With Weight-Loss Medications: A Multidisciplinary Healthcare Review

VOLUME 22, 2025

The Role of Targeted Infra-popliteal Endovascular Angioplasty to Treat Diabetic Foot Ulcers Using the Angiosome Model: A Systematic Review

VOLUME 6, 2023

Saeed Abdullah Alghamdi, Abdulrahim Naffa Alamri, Abdulaziz Mofareh Alragabah, Awadh Ashwi Aldahmashi, Saeed Maeed Alqahtani
Khalid Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Abdulsalam Abdulaziz Almalak, Ateeq Ali Almotiry, Mamdouh Sati Almabadi, Tahani Neamah Alshammari

Abstract

Background: Pharmacological weight-loss therapies are increasingly utilized as long-term interventions for obesity management, demonstrating significant benefits in weight reduction and cardiometabolic outcomes (Apovian et al., 2015; Davies et al., 2021). However, the oral health implications of these medications remain underrecognized despite growing evidence of medication-related oral adverse effects (Villa et al., 2015).

Objective: This review aimed to synthesize current evidence on oral manifestations associated with weight-loss medications and to highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary healthcare approach in their prevention and management.

Methods: A narrative review of peer-reviewed literature published between 2015 and 2024 was conducted, focusing on pharmacological weight-loss therapies and their oral health consequences. Relevant studies were identified across medical, pharmaceutical, dental, and nursing disciplines, with emphasis on mechanisms of action, clinical manifestations, and implications for practice.

Results: Evidence indicates that weight-loss medications are associated with a spectrum of oral manifestations, including xerostomia, dental erosion, increased caries susceptibility, periodontal inflammation, taste disturbances, and oral mucosal changes (Wolff et al., 2017; Lussi et al., 2011). These effects arise through interconnected mechanisms such as salivary gland dysfunction, gastrointestinal adverse effects, neurochemical modulation, and nutritional alterations (Villa et al., 2015; Ryan et al., 2020). Oral complications may negatively impact oral health–related quality of life and contribute to reduced adherence to pharmacological therapy if not adequately managed (Palacios & Joshipura, 2014).

Conclusion: Oral manifestations associated with weight-loss medications represent clinically relevant yet often overlooked adverse effects. Integrating oral health assessment and preventive strategies into pharmacological obesity management is essential for comprehensive, patient-centered care. Multidisciplinary collaboration among physicians, pharmacists, dentists, and allied healthcare professionals is critical for early identification, prevention, and management of oral complications, ultimately supporting safer and more effective long-term weight-loss treatment.

Keywords : Weight-loss medications; Oral manifestations; Xerostomia; Dental erosion; Obesity pharmacotherapy; Multidisciplinary care..
Erin Saricilar
Lecture in accounting. University of Basrah, College of Administration and Economics, Department of Accounting.

Abstract

Atherosclerotic disease significantly impacts patients with type 2 diabetes, who often present with recalcitrant peripheral ulcers. The angiosome model of the foot presents an opportunity to perform direct angiosome-targeted endovascular interventions to maximise both wound healing and limb salvage. A systematic review was performed, with 17 studies included in the final review. Below-the-knee endovascular interventions present significant technical challenges, with technical success depending on the length of lesion being treated and the number of angiosomes that require treatment. Wound healing was significantly improved with direct angiosome-targeted angioplasty, as was limb salvage, with a significant increase in survival without major amputation. Indirect angioplasty, where the intervention is applied to collateral vessels to the angiosomes, yielded similar results to direct angiosome-targeted angioplasty. Applying the angiosome model of the foot in direct angiosome-targeted angioplasty improves outcomes for patients with recalcitrant diabetic foot ulcers in terms of primary wound healing, mean time for complete wound healing and major amputation-free survival.
Keywords : Diabetic foot ulcer, angiosome, angioplasty