Oral health-related quality of life and associated factors in patients with burning mouth syndrome.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and to identify clinical factors associated with OHRQoL. Fifty-seven patients with BMS (56.4±10.7years) participated in the study. Patients underwent oral examination, laboratory tests, psychological evaluation, measurement of salivary flow rates and evaluation of clinical characteristics using a BMS questionnaire. The OHRQoL of patients was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). The OHIP-14 score for patients with BMS was 38.6±12.8. Patients had higher scores for the psychological discomfort and physical pain dimensions of the OHIP-14. The intensity of taste disturbance or xerostomia symptoms (β=0.464,P<.001), worry about symptoms (β=0.307,P=.020), and results of psychological evaluation (β=0.311,P=.026) were significantly associated with OHIP-14 score. Multiple linear regression showed that the intensity of taste disturbance or xerostomia symptoms was significantly associated with decreased OHRQoL (β=0.637,P=.026). This study suggests that severity of taste disturbance or xerostomia is an important factor that influences OHRQoL in patients with BMS.