Analysis of trends in the spectrum of oral diseases at the Chinese level‑II hospital for peacekeeping: A case study from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Abstract

Oral diseases represent an important reason for consultation among personnel attending the Chinese level-II hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). By analyzing the trends in the spectrum of oral diseases, we aim to improve precision support in oral healthcare for peacekeepers. Clinical data from outpatient visits during Batches 23, 25, and 26 at the hospital were collected. A total of 565 oral outpatient visits (205 in Batch 23, 154 in Batch 25, and 206 in Batch 26) were analyzed. Oral diseases were classified using ICD-11 into five categories, and their proportions and trends were compared using chi‑square tests and Cochran[Formula: see text]Armitage trend tests with Bonferroni correction. Oral outpatient visits accounted for the largest proportion of specialized outpatient consultations across all three batches, accounting for 22.19% (Batch 23), 21.21% (Batch 25), and 25.40% (Batch 26) of all outpatient visits. The proportion of diseases of hard tissues of teeth increased from 29.27% (Batch 23) to 49.03% (Batch 26) (P for trend < 0.001), and was significantly higher in Batch 26 than in Batches 23 and 25 (P < 0.001), with caries being the most common. Caries proportion rose from 11.71% (Batch 23) to 30.10% (Batch 26) (P for trend < 0.001). Among diseases of pulp or periapical tissues, pulpitis was the most prevalent; its proportion peaked in Batch 25 (33.12%) and then significantly decreased in Batch 26 (20.87%, P = 0.009). Periodontal disease declined from 15.12% (Batch 23) to 6.80% (Batch 26) (P for trend = 0.008), with Batch 26 significantly lower than Batch 23. This study provides preliminary insights for oral medical support in peacekeeping missions with similar settings, ensuring effective oral health protection for peacekeepers.