Room Air-conditioning effect on the Parotid Rest Flow Rate

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of the room air-conditioning, both cooling and heating, on the parotid salivary secretion rate at rest, regardless of the season. Methods: The parotid flow rate in rest was evaluated in 53 healthy individuals (25 men, 28 women). Saliva collections from each individual were performed 4 times during the study: twice in winter and twice in summer in a cooled room and in a heated room. Results: The mean parotid salivary flow rate in rest was significantly higher in the cooled room (13.5-15.3 °c), 0.0251± 0.029 ml/min in the winter and 0.0156 ± 0.020 ml/min in the summer, compared to the flow rate in a heated room (27.5°c-29.7°c) 0.0155 ± 0.017 ml/min in the winter and 0.0133 ± 0.024 ml/min in the summer (p<0.001). Air conditioning had a major influence on parotid salivary flow regardless of the season (p=0.009). Conclusions: The parotid rest secretion rate was significantly influenced by the room temperature regardless of the annual season. Further studies are needed to establish the clinical practical value in the management of xerostomic patients.