title: The establishment of a xerostomia clinic: a prospective study.
abstract: The study investigated the aetiological factors and management of patients who have xerostomia. The subjects were 100 consecutive patients referred to the Oral Medicine Unit for investigation of oral dryness. A detailed case history was recorded and patients underwent a systematic examination together with sialometry, haematological, biochemical and immunological investigations. Suspected cases of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) were referred for assessment by a rheumatologist and ophthalmologist. Objective evidence of salivary gland hypofunction was found in 39 patients. A definite diagnosis of primary and secondary SS was made in 24 and 15 patients respectively, a further five cases had possible primary SS. Other causes of xerostomia were: undiagnosed diabetes (3); drug-induced (11); therapeutic radiation (3); alcohol-related (3); psychogenic (15) and idiopathic (21). Patients complaining of a dry mouth should be questioned about non-oral symptoms. In total, 40% of patients attending the dry mouth clinic had a diagnosis of SS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Dental Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Field
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Longman
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bucknall
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Higham
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Edgar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D003796:Dental Service, Hospital; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009885:Ophthalmology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012219:Rheumatology; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy