The association of openness personality trait with stress-related salivary biomarkers in burning mouth syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic disorder defined as a burning sensation in the oral mucosa without evidence of pathological findings. Its pathophysiology is largely unknown, but psychiatric disorders and personality traits have been implicated. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether there is any association between salivary biomarkers and personality traits in BMS patients. METHODS: It was a cross-sectional, controlled study that evaluated 30 individuals with BMS and 32 controls. All subjects were assessed with a structured psychiatric interview (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview) and the Big Five inventory. Salivary levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neural growth factor, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and cortisol were determined. RESULTS: We found that BMS patients exhibited more traits of neuroticism and lower openness than controls. Openness showed a moderate and negative correlation with cortisol, BDNF and IL-6. CONCLUSION: Personality traits are associated with salivary biomarkers in BMS.

Burning mouth syndrome: a therapeutic approach involving mechanical salivary stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of salivary stimulation therapy on the salivary flow, quality of saliva, and symptoms in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS). BACKGROUND: BMS is a chronic disorder characterized by a burning sensation. Some reports have proposed a role for saliva in the pathogenesis of BMS. METHODS: Twenty-six BMS patients underwent treatment with salivary mechanical stimulation. Resting and stimulated saliva were collected before and after therapy. Salivary levels of total protein, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and nerve growth factor were assessed before and 90 days after therapy by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: A significant reduction in the burning sensation and number of burning sites as well as an improvement of taste disturbances and xerostomia were observed after therapy. The salivary flow was not significantly modified. However, the therapy resulted in a significant decrease in salivary levels of total protein and an increase of tumor necrosis factor-α. CONCLUSION: Salivary mechanical stimulation therapy is effective in reducing clinical symptoms of BMS.

Comparison between fractal analysis and radiopacity evaluation as a tool for studying repair of an osseous defect in an animal model using biomaterials.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate bone repair of an osseous defect in a rat animal model through fractal analysis and radiopacity analysis in radiographic images. METHODS: 120 rats were subjected to extraction of their first molar and divided into four groups (n = 6/group) according to the material used for bone grafting: mineralized bovine bone, demineralized bovine bone (DBB), blood clot (BC - control) or Bio-Oss® (BO). The animals were sacrificed after 1, 7, 14, 21 and 49 days and subjected to radiographic evaluation. For fractal analysis (FA), a square regionof interest of 30 × 30 pixels was used, and radiopacity was measured as the mean gray scale (MGS) value for three points of 5 × 5 pixels in the apical, medial and coronal regions of the defect. Histomorphometric evaluation was realized as the gold standard for bone neo-formation and maturation of the new osseous matrix. RESULTS: Histomorphometric evaluation suggested that DBB showed faster mineralized deposition and resulted in more mature bone at the final time point of evaluation. Mineralized bovine bone and Bio-Oss presented similar results. The mineralized groups did not show significant differences in bone maturation. The radiopacity analysis revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the DBB and blood clot groups at the final time point. FA did not show any significant differences at the final time point. CONCLUSIONS: Mean gray scale seemed to be more effective for the quantification of bone repair than FA in the demineralized group in this animal model. Results for the mineralized groups did not reveal a significant difference, leading to the conclusion that both methods are effective.

Psychiatric disorders in burning mouth syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is high, but their role in the pathogenesis of BMS remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: The authors aimed to assess the frequency of psychiatric disorders and the severity of psychopathology in BMS. METHODS: Thirty BMS patients and thirty-one controls underwent a psychiatric evaluation which included a structured interview (MINI-Plus) and five psychometric scales. A Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to measure the intensity of burning sensation. RESULTS: Patients with BMS showed a higher frequency of current major depressive disorder, past major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, hypochondria and cancerophobia (p<0.05). In BMS patients, generalized anxiety disorder was significantly associated with current major depression and social phobia (p<0.05). As expected, cancerophobia was significantly associated with hypochondria (p<0.05). Patients with BMS had higher scores in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Dutch Fatigue Scale (DUFS) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: BMS patients may have a particular psychological and/or psychiatric profile. Psychometric scales might be useful in screening psychiatric disorders, as well as for assessment of treatment outcomes. In the presence of clinical relevant psychiatric symptoms, patients must be treated appropriately.