Xerostomia and oral-health-related quality of life in Hong Kong

Xerostomia is the subjective feeling of dry mouth. Objectives: 1) to obtain information on the prevalence and severity of xerostomia in Hong Kong Chinese and 2) to compare the dental conditions and oral health-related quality of life between sufferers and non-sufferers. Methods: 217 adult Chinese subjects (94 males, 123 females, mean age=45.1) attending a University Dental Hospital were recruited. The main measures were xerostomia (measured with a single question) and the severity (in 6 items using VAS and the Xerostomia Inventory, XI), and oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) measured using the short-form Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). Clinical information regarding oral hygiene and caries experience were collected. Demographic data regarding age, gender, smoking habit, and perceived general and dental health were recorded. Results: 91 subjects (41.7%) reported xerostomia. They were older (p<0.05) and had higher XI and OHIP scores (p<0.005) than non-sufferers but there was no apparent gender difference. They reported more severe symptoms in dryness of the mouth, lip and mucosa and difficulty in eating and speaking (p<0.05), and poorer perceived general and mucosal health (p<0.01). No difference was found in oral hygiene, caries experience and smoking habit between sufferers and non-sufferers. There was a strong association between xerostomia and OHRQoL. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of xerostomia, and it appears to have marked effects on OHRQoL of the sufferers. Supported by CRCG-HKU.