Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of xerostomia among dental patients and explore the possible risk factors and symptoms associated with this condition. Patient and Methods: The prevalence of xerostomia and its associations were investigated among patients (n=1132) who were visiting the department of oral medicine at shorish dental speciality in sulaimani city. The age range was between 10-79 years. 512 (45.2%) of participants were males and 620 (54.8%) were females. The data collected were age, sex, systemic diseases, medications and habit of smoking. Logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to investigate the association of xerostomia with age, systemic diseases and medications and Chi Square test was also used to analyze the data. Results: Prevalence of xerostomia was 16.07%. Prevalence of xerostomia was significantly higher among females (19.51%) than males (11.91%) (P=0.001). The most common diseases with the highest prevalence of xerostomia were psychological disorders (57.14%) followed by diabetes mellitus (53.84%), neurological disorders (40%), thyroid disorders (37.5%) and hypertension (36.48%). The most common medication with the highest prevalence of xerostomia was antihistamine (66.66%) followed by psychotherapeutic medications (60%), pain medications (55.88%), endocrinologic agents (51.21%), antidyslipidic agents (50%) and antihypertensive medication (38.98%). Xerostomia was significantly associated with ageing (OR: 1.02, P=0.000), systemic diseases (OR: 2.80, P=0.000) and medications (OR: 5.17, P=0.000). There was a high prevalence of reported symptoms of xerostomia and these symptoms were more prevalent among females, Prevalence of xerostomia was higher in heavy smoker patients (19.48%) than non smoker patients but not significantly (16.14%) (p= 0.44). Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of xerostomia among dental patients; xerostomia was significantly more prevalent among females and significantly associated with age, systemic diseases and medications; xerostomia adversely affects oral functions; dentist must be familial with sign and symptoms of xerostomia and can have an active role in the management of xerostomia and preventing or treating complications. Key words:Ageing, medications, xerostomia, prevalence.
Highlights
IntroductionSelf-reported mouth dryness or xerostomia is commonly used in population studies since diagnosing hyposalivation by measurement of saliva flow rates is time-consuming
Xerostomia is a common subjective complaint of dryness in the mouth [1]
This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of xerostomia among dental patients and explore the possible risk factors and symptoms associated with this condition
Summary
Self-reported mouth dryness or xerostomia is commonly used in population studies since diagnosing hyposalivation by measurement of saliva flow rates is time-consuming. The amount of saliva needed for a person to experience oral discomfort is on a case by case basis and studies have shown that xerostomia and hyposalivation are not always closely related [2]. The presence of xerostomia with a low or altered salivary flow may place patients at a higher risk of dental caries, gingivitis, erosion and ulceration of mucosal tissues, oral candidiasis, dysgeusia and dysphagia [5]. A reduction of saliva may lead to complaints of dry mouth, halitosis and oral burning sensation. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of xerostomia among dental patients and explore the possible risk factors and symptoms associated with this condition
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