Factors influencing xerostomia and oral health-related quality of life in polymedicated patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the severity of xerostomia in older polymedicated patients impacts oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). BACKGROUND: Medication-associated xerostomia is common in older people. Xerostomia may impair OHRQoL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included older hypertensive patients from two health centres. We assessed the severity of xerostomia and OHRQoL using the Xerostomia Inventory (XI) tool, and the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) instrument, respectively. We measured unstimulated (UWS) and stimulated (SWS) salivary flows. Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses evaluated the associations of XI and OHIP-14 and different explanatory variables. RESULTS: Of the 218 patients enrolled, 51.8% had xerostomia, and 38.1% and 27.5% suffered from UWS and SWS hyposalivation, respectively. Patients with xerostomia, UWS, and SWS hyposalivation scored significantly higher on the XI. However, only those with xerostomia or UWS hyposalivation had significantly higher OHIP-14 scores. A moderate correlation was observed between XI and OHIP-14 scores. The multiple regression model showed that factors with the greatest impact on XI were the patient's complaint of xerostomia, UWS flow rate, age and sex. However, only the XI score was significantly associated with the OHIP-14 score. CONCLUSION: Xerostomia has a negative impact on OHRQoL in older polymedicated patients, but this impact is less than in other types of xerostomia. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether changes in the detected explanatory variables influence XI and OHIP scores in these patients.

Risk factors associated with xerostomia and reduced salivary flow in hypertensive patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors associated with xerostomia and hyposalivation in a group of hypertensive patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Hypertensive patients belonged to two healthcare centers were included. Xerostomia was assessed by asking a question and using the Xerostomia Inventory. Unstimulated salivary flow was collected. Different epidemiological variables were analyzed such as age, sex, habits, diseases, drugs, and blood pressure. RESULTS: 221 individuals were included. Xerostomia was reported in 51.13% of patients. Patients with xerostomia suffered more from osteoarthritis and diaphragmatic hernia. These patients took more anticoagulants (acenocoumarol), antiarrhythmics (amiodarone), analgesics (paracetamol) and epilepsy drugs (pregabalin) and less platelet aggregation inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (losartan). Unstimulated flow was reduced in 37.56% of patients. Patients suffering hyposalivation presented more diseases such as anxiety, infectious or parasitic diseases, hepatitis C, diaphragmatic hernia, and osteoarthritis. These patients took more repaglinide, thiazides, anti-inflammatories, anti-rheumatics, glucosamine, diazepam, and selective beta-2-adrenoreceptor agonists and less combinations of candesartan and diuretics. CONCLUSIONS: Xerostomia and hyposalivation are frequent in hypertensive patients. It is advisable to take into consideration the comorbidities and the drugs they receive, since they can increase the risk of these salivary disorders.

Papel de los colutorios en el manejo de las complicaciones orales derivadas del tratamiento de los tumores de cabeza y cuello / The role of mouthwashes in the management of oral complications resulting from the treatment of headand-neck tumors

El tratamiento del cáncer de cabeza y cuello puede incluir técnicas quirúrgicas y no quirúrgicas como la quimioterapia y radioterapia. Estas técnicas no quirúrgicas pueden producir una serie de efectos adversos asociados. En la cavidad oral los efectos adversos más comunes son la mucositis, la xerostomía, infecciones, caries, alteraciones en el gusto y osteorradionecrosis. El objetivo de este trabajo es hacer una revisión de la literatura sobre los diferentes colutorios existentes para tratar dichos efectos adversos. Existen colutorios con agentes protectores de la mucosa oral, agentes antiinflamatorios, agentes antimicrobianos, agentes anestésicos, agentes inmunomoduladores y otras sustancias como los sustitutos salivales y el flúor. Ante la gran variedad de colutorios de los que se disponen existe una gran controversia a cerca de cual es más eficaz (AU)

The treatment of head-and-neck tumors may include surgical and nonsurgical techniques as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These non-surgical techniques can produce some associated adverse effects. In the oral cavity, the most common adverse effects include mucositis, xerostomia, infections, tooth decay, taste changes, and osteoradionecrosis. The aim of this paper is to review the existing literature on the different mouthrinses to treat these adverse effects. There are mouthwashes with protective agents of the oral mucosa, inflammatory agents, antimicrobial agents, anesthetic agents, immunomodulatory agents and other substances such as saliva substitutes and fluoride. Due to the variety of existing mouthwashes, there is much controversy about which is more effective (AU)