Clinical profile of Burning Mouth Syndrome: a retrospective multi-centric survey

Objective: Identification of patients (pts) with Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is still a debated issue among scientists/clinicians. The purpose of this survey was to analyze a large group of pts with oral mucosa pain, in order to highlight possible characteristic(s) which could be of value for simplifying identification and, thus, management of BMS pts. Methods: Clinical records of pts who had attended a visit for their oral mucosa complaints at the Department of Periodontology [University of Bologna, Italy], Dr. Scala Dental Office [Brescia, Italy], and the Department of Oral Medicine [University of Milano, Italy], were retrospectively evaluated. Pts who had reported oral mucosa chronic pain without lesions [IASP definition], were included into the study. Details about pain and other symptoms [xerostomia and/or dysgeusia], psychological profile, presence of local/systemic disorders, etc., were carefully analyzed and compare. Pts whose records did not show one/more of the investigated clinical traits were recalled and interviewed for such details. Exclusion criteria was the impossibility to achieve all explored information from a subject. Data were presented and discussed according to previously published criteria [Scala et al, 2003]. Results: Study group was composed of 140 subjects [22M-118F, range=38-82yrs]. Most recurrent/relevant pain details were: on-set [100% spontaneous]; localization [100% bilateral]; overall duration [99,30% continuing for at least 4-6 months]; behavior during feeding [99,05% it didn't worsen, but often relieved]; occurrence [96,40% everyday]; quality [94,24% burning]; behavior before sleeping [71,96% it didn't interfere]. Rational combination of analyzed data defined a specific clinical profile of disease. Conclusions: Our results suggest that BMS is a well-defined “nosological entity” characterized by a specific spectrum of oral complaints. This study draws attention to: (1) recurrent clinical features/criteria, which should be considered gold standards for a rational identification/classification of BMS pts; (2) the impact that rational approaches may have on management of these pts.