Could Dental Clinicians Improve the Detection of Sjogren's Syndrome?

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and predictors of xerostomia among adults and identify how many of the ones experiencing xerostomia had sicca and Sjogren's syndromes.
Methods: The cross-sectional study included 1405 35-74-year-old Lithuanians (51.7% response rate). Xerostomia was determined by a self-reported experience of dry mouth as "often" or "always". A dentist diagnosed sicca syndrome by unstimulated whole sialometry and Schirmer's test, and all cases were referred to a rheumatologist to confirm the Sjogren's syndrome. Self-reported questionnaire collected data about predictors.
Results: The prevalence of xerostomia was 8.0% (n=112), sicca syndrome was diagnosed for eight (0.6%) participants, Sjogren's syndrome for two (0.14%) participants, and this was their first-time diagnosis. Self-reported xerostomia positively associated with older age (OR 1.7, 95%CI 1.1-2.6), urban residence (OR 3.3, 95%CI 1.6-5.0), presence of systemic diseases (OR 2.5, 95%CI 1.4-3.3), and negatively with the use of alcohol (OR 0.6, 95%CI 0.4-0.9). Eight participants had sicca syndrome, which was more prevalent among females, participants in older age group, having systematic diseases, and using medications.
Conclusions: The prevalence of xerostomia was 8.0% and the predictors of xerostomia were older age, urban residence, the presence of systemic diseases, and not using alcohol. Sjogren's syndrome was diagnosed in two participants (0.14%). Dental clinicians if trained can suspect Sjogren's syndrome cases, therefore, continuous education courses for dental clinicians about dry mouth conditions are needed.