Investigation of medicines with potential xerostomic effect used in institutionalized elderly

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Several factors affect the salivary flow and cause xerostomia, i.e. aging, diets, radiation, various pathologies and the use of drugs. Objective: This study aimed to investigate drugs with potential xerostomic effect in institutionalized elderly patients. Material and methods: 235 elderly were investigated, of both sexes, of which 123 were women (52.3%) and 112 (47.7%) were men. In addition to the gender and age, the use of medications containing side effects of xerostomia/dry mouth/ hyposalivation or hyposialia was investigated. Such drugs were separated according to their medical area of expertise Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Allergy, Neurology and pulmonology Results: When investigated the amount of drugs used for female patients, it was observed that 83 (67.5%) used up to five drugs, 35 (28.4%) between 6 and 10 and medicines, and 5 (4.1%) more than 10 drugs. When analyzed the amount of drugs used for male patients, it was observed that 88(78.6%) used up to five drugs, 17 (15.2%) were between 6 and 10 7 medicines, and (6.2%) more than 10 drugs. By analyzing the drugs with xerostomic potential, we found 354 medicines. Among these, 181 (51.1%) were used in Neurology, 45 (12.7%) had been prescribed in Cardiology, 33 (9.2%) were used drugs for allergic conditions, 80 (22.3%) were prescribed in gastroenterology and 15 (4.3%) in pulmonology. Conclusion: It can be concluded that many medications used to treat institutionalized elderly had xerostomic potential effect, notably those used in Neurology. Polypharmacy is also present, especially in the older age group.