Salivary gland hypofunction in elderly patients attending a xerostomia clinic.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the aetiological factors and the prevalence of salivary gland hypofunction (SGH) in patients complaining of xerostomia.


METHODS
Prospective, clinical study.


METHODS
Xerostomia clinic in the Department of Oral Medicine at Liverpool University Dental Hospital.


METHODS
100 consecutive patients, aged 60 years or older, referred for investigation of xerostomia.


METHODS
Patients were asked specific questions concerning their complaint of oral dryness and associated orofacial symptoms. A detailed medical history was recorded and patients underwent a systematic examination of the head, neck and oral structures. All patients underwent haematological, biochemical, immunological investigations, urinalysis and sialometry. Further investigations and referrals to other specialists were undertaken when appropriate.


METHODS
The causes of xerostomia were established on the basis of clinical and laboratory findings and SGH was defined as an unstimulated whole salivary flow rate of < 0.2ml/min,


RESULTS
The causes of xerostomia were identified as: Sjögren's Syndrome (40), iatrogenic (22), psychogenic (14), idiopathic (19), diabetes (1), candidosis (3) and alcohol (1). Sixty five percent of the patients studied had SGH.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has shown that 65% of patients whose presenting complaint was xerostomia had objective evidence of SGH. Several aetiological factors were identified, the most common of which was Sjögren's Syndrome. The possibility of associated systemic diseases should be considered when establishing the aetiology of SGH.
Longman
L P
LP
University of Liverpool, Department of Clinical Dental Sciences, School of Dentistry, UK.
Higham
S M
SM
Rai
K
K
Edgar
W M
WM
Field
E A
EA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D016321:Dental Care for Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012636:Secretory Rate; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*