IADR Abstract Archives
Determination of Saliva Amounts and Mucosal Moisture Among Geriatric Patients
Objectives: Dry mouth is a common problem among geriatric patients. So far, there is much discrepancy in the scientific literature regarding diagnosis of subjective and objective dry mouth, and it is difficult for geriatric patients (especially those with cognitive decline) to assess quantitative salivary measurements. Comparable tests are needed to objectify diagnosis of dry mouth, mucosal wetness, and efficiency of treatments. The aim of this cross-sectional pilot study was to perform various diagnostic methods for objective and subjective determination of dry mouth and reduced mucosal moistening among a group of geriatric patients (> 65 years).
Methods: N = 50 geriatric patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Objective diagnostic methods were performed: stimulated (SWS) and unstimulated salivary flow rates (USWS) using spitting and dripping method, oral Schirmer-Test (ST) and Periotron-Test (P) on standardized sites: hard palate, oral floor, cheeks, tongue and lips. Xerostomia was determined by Oral Dryness Score and Xerostomia Questionnaire. Correlations, multivariate models and regression analyses were performed.
Results: Low values determined with ST and P correlated with hyposalivation measured with USWS and SWS (Spearman’s r >0.4, p<0.05). Hard palate and inner lips have thin saliva films hardly detectable with ST and P. The mucosal moisture differed depending on localization and method. The reproducibility of measurements showed agreement between test methods. Subjective dry mouth partly correlated with the different methods.
Conclusions: It is possible to perform dry mouth and oral mucosal moisture measurements that are easier to apply for patients than collection of salivary flow rates for several minutes. However, for oral mucosal dryness, the tested methods are not sensitive enough yet. There is a need for development of more convenient testing methods, which can help to make the use of dry mouth diagnostics more common in daily routine practice among geriatric patients.
Methods: N = 50 geriatric patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Objective diagnostic methods were performed: stimulated (SWS) and unstimulated salivary flow rates (USWS) using spitting and dripping method, oral Schirmer-Test (ST) and Periotron-Test (P) on standardized sites: hard palate, oral floor, cheeks, tongue and lips. Xerostomia was determined by Oral Dryness Score and Xerostomia Questionnaire. Correlations, multivariate models and regression analyses were performed.
Results: Low values determined with ST and P correlated with hyposalivation measured with USWS and SWS (Spearman’s r >0.4, p<0.05). Hard palate and inner lips have thin saliva films hardly detectable with ST and P. The mucosal moisture differed depending on localization and method. The reproducibility of measurements showed agreement between test methods. Subjective dry mouth partly correlated with the different methods.
Conclusions: It is possible to perform dry mouth and oral mucosal moisture measurements that are easier to apply for patients than collection of salivary flow rates for several minutes. However, for oral mucosal dryness, the tested methods are not sensitive enough yet. There is a need for development of more convenient testing methods, which can help to make the use of dry mouth diagnostics more common in daily routine practice among geriatric patients.