Prevalence of Xerostomia Among a Group of Dental Patients

Objectives: Xerostomia is a multifactorial sensation of dry mouth that has significant implications for oral health. The present study is aimed to evaluate the presence of xerostomia and its risk factors among patients attending the UNLV SDM clinics.
Methods: A retrospective search was conducted using a keyword search of patients' clinical notes on axiUm™ software that included the following terms: "xerostomia," "dry mouth," and "hyposalivation" to identify the patients presenting with these conditions at UNLV SDM clinics. Inclusion criteria included patients with reported xerostomia or dry mouth who attended the UNLV SDM clinics from January 2014 to May 2023. Patients younger than 30 years were excluded. Demographic data, medical and social histories, dental history, and caries risk were evaluated.
Results: Out of 12,067 potentially eligible subjects that fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 1,600 were sampled. Seven hundred five of those patients sampled (44.06%) were diagnosed with xerostomia. 55.46% of the patients diagnosed with xerostomia were aged 56+, among the highest followed by the age groups 41-45 (10.63%) and 30-35 years old (9.93%). Among patients diagnosed with xerostomia, 71.5% reported having at least one underlying systemic disease, and 77.5% reported over-the-counter or prescription medication use. Medication use increases the propensity for xerostomia across all age groups. For the 30-35 aged group, medication use was the predictor that garnered the most remarkable propensity (OR= 1.9). Caries risk was moderate or high in 86.81% of patients diagnosed with xerostomia. Among the 30-35 years old group, 42.94% were diagnosed with xerostomia, and 76% of these patients had a Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) score of 10 or more. Overall, marijuana use was the predictor that garnered the most significant risk of xerostomia (RR= 3.10) among the entire population with RR= 1.06 for the 30-35 years old group.
Conclusions: Within the limitations of the present investigation, marijuana users have a greater risk of xerostomia, and those taking medications have a higher propensity for xerostomia. The prevalence of xerostomia among the group aged 30-35 years was uncharacteristically common.