[The role of drugs, irradiation, autoimmune diseases and age in the development of xerostomia in the Irish Republic]. / Gyógyszer, besugárzás, autoimmun-betegségek és az életkor szerepe a xerostomia kialakulásában az Ir Köztársaságban.

ABSTRACT

The effects are described of xerostomia on the oral mucosa and dental structures. The various conditions which give rise to extreme dryness are listed; a rough estimate is made on the prevalence of these conditions. The contribution of drug induced xerostomia, of post irradiation mouth dryness and of autoimmune associated salivary disorders are dealt with. Reference is made to studies of xerostomia in various subpopulations. The prevalence of diseases known to be associated with mucosal dryness, and the yearly patterns of drug prescription in Ireland are used to justify an estimate of 2.1% to 3.3% of the population to be the incidence of xerostomia in the Republic of Ireland.