A scoping review on hyposalivation associated with systemic conditions: the role of physical stimulation in the treatment approaches.

BACKGROUND: Several systemic conditions can result in distinct degrees of salivary gland damage and consequent hypofunction. The development of successful management schemes is highly challenging due to the complexity of saliva. This study aimed to systematically map the literature on the physical stimulation of salivary glands for hyposalivation management and the response of individuals according to different systemic conditions causing salivary impairment. METHODS: A systematic search in the literature was performed. Two reviewers independently selected clinical trials, randomized or not, that used physical stimulation to treat hyposalivation caused by systemic conditions. Studies evaluating healthy subjects without hyposalivation were included as controls. Single-arm clinical studies or case series were also included for protocol mapping (PRISMA extension for scoping reviews). RESULTS: Out of 24 included studies, 10 evaluated healthy subjects, from which 9 tested transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and 1 tested acupuncture and electroacupuncture. Fourteen studies evaluated individuals with hyposalivation: 6 applied TENS, 6 applied low-level laser therapy (LLLT), and 2 applied acupuncture, carried out in post-chemotherapy, medication use, postmenopausal women, hemodialysis patients, smokers, diabetics, Sjögren's syndrome (SS). All showed increased salivation after treatment, except for two LLLT studies in individuals with SS. CONCLUSIONS: Among the different patient groups, individuals with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) exhibited the poorest responses, while those with medication-induced hyposalivation demonstrated the most favorable treatment outcomes, independently of the management strategy for saliva stimulation. It means that physical stimulation of salivary glands holds promise as an alternative for managing hyposalivation in cases of reversible gland damage. However, to make informed decisions in current practice, it is necessary to conduct new well-designed randomized clinical trials with appropriate methodologies.

Clinical management of salivary gland hypofunction in patients with head and neck cancer: a scoping review of physical salivary stimulation methods.

OBJECTIVE(S): This scoping review aims to map the scientific literature on the therapies currently available for physical salivary stimulation in individuals with hyposalivation caused by radiotherapy. STUDY DESIGN: Studies were included when they comprised the target population of adult individuals receiving radiotherapy of the head and neck region and who developed or were at risk of developing hyposalivation. Two reviewers selected the studies and extracted data on the type of physical salivary stimulation therapy used, the degree of glandular tissue involvement, and the percentage of salivary flow alteration. Therapies were classified according to either prophylactic application (before/during radiotherapy) or therapeutic application (post-radiotherapy). RESULTS: Sixteen articles were included: 4 tested transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), 3 studied low-level lasers, 7 researched acupunctures, and 2 investigated acupuncture-like TENS. The outcomes of the prophylactic studies indicated beneficial effects (similar salivary flow or reduced salivary flow loss), although most studies did not include a comparable control group. Therapeutic studies presented conflicting results. CONCLUSION(S): Prophylactic therapies of physical salivary stimulation may produce better effects than therapeutic applications. However, the protocols best indicated could not be defined. Well-designed, controlled clinical trials should be researched in the future to support the clinical recommendation of any of these treatments.

Sialometry of upper labial minor glands: a clinical approach by the use of weighing method Schirmer's test strips paper.

OBJECTIVES: To establish referential values ranges of hyposalivation and normosalivation for the salivary flow rate (SFR) of upper labial (LS) and palatal (PS) mucosa using Schirmer's test strips paper and as a second goal to determine the values ranges of the SFR of palatal (PS) and upper labial (LS) mucosa in subjects with and without xerostomia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among subjects distributed in three groups according to their unstimulated and stimulated whole saliva. RESULTS: 144 subjects were enrolled in groups as follows: severe hyposalivation (n = 24), mild hyposalivation (n = 78), and normosalivation (n = 42). The mean and the 95% confidence interval for the LS flow rate ( µ L/cm(2)/min) were 3.2 (2.46 to 3.94), 5.86 (4.96 to 6.75), and 9.08 (7.63 to 10.53) (P < 0.001) for each group, respectively. The PS results were 1.01 (0.68 to 1.34), 1.72 (1.31 to 2.13), and 2.44 (1.66 to 3.22) (P = 0.014). Xerostomia complainers presented lower rates of LS (5.17 (4.06 to 6.23)) than non-complainers (7.33 (6.4 to 8.27)) (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The test was reliable to provide referential values ranges for LS flow rate measurement and was shown to be valid to distinguish normosalivation from severe and mild hyposalivation and also to predict xerostomia.

Avaliação da condição periodontal e da presença de biofilme lingual como indicadores de risco para halitose / Evaluation of periodontal condition and tongue coating as risk factors for halitosis

A capacidade olfativa como instrumento de diagnóstico não deve ser ignorada por aqueles que trabalham na área da saúde. O objetivo do trabalho foi apresentar um modelo de avaliação organoléptica do odor bucal e avaliar a presença de gengivite, periodontite crônica e do biofilme lingual como indicadores de risco da halitose. Foram selecionados 120 indivíduos, de ambos os gêneros e na faixa etária de 18 a 66 anos, com as seguintes características: 60 portadores de halitose, com ou sem doença periodontal, e 60 indivíduos sem halitose, com ou sem doença periodontal. Todos foram submetidos às seguintes avaliações: teste organoléptico, anamnese e exame clínico para detectar a presença de biofilme lingual e alterações periodontais. O estudo mostrou que não houve associação entre os escores organolépticos e as alterações periodontais. O teste organoléptico positivo foi estatisticamente associado apenas à presença do biofilme lingual, podendo assim considerá-lo como um indicador de risco para as alterações do odor bucal (p = 0,0001). O modelo apresentado para a realização do teste organoléptico mostrou-se clinicamente viável, de execução fácil e rápida. Em resumo, os presentes achados mostraram que a presença de biofilme lingual pode ser considerado como um fator de risco para a halitose.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of gingivitis, chronic periodontitis and tongue coating as possible indicators for halitosis. A total of 120 subjects of both genders aging from 18 to 66 years wereselected and allocated in 2 groups: 60 subjects diagnosed with halitosis and 60 subjects without halitosis. All subjectswere submitted to the organoleptic test, anamnesis and clinical examination to assess the presence of tongue coatingand periodontal diseases. The results showed no association between organoleptic scores and periodontal diseases (p>0.05). However, tongue coating was a highly related to thepresence of halitosis (p=0.0001). In addition, the organoleptic test was considered to be an easy and rapid procedure to evaluate the presence of halitosis. In conclusion, tongue coating can be a risk factor for halitosis.