Age and medication are significant risk factors for xerostomia in an English population, attending general dental practice.
OBJECTIVE
To study the prevalence of xerostomia in an English population, attending general dental practice and relate it to age, medication and gender.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
Five General Dental Practices in Merseyside, North of England.


METHODS
1,103 adult patients attending for routine dental care.


METHODS
Questionnaire administered by dentists.


METHODS
Age, gender, systemic medication, reported oral dryness.


RESULTS
1,103 patients (654 females) were recruited, of whom 427 (39%) were aged 60 years or older. 26% of patients reported taking medication. The overall prevalence of xerostomia was 12.7% (males--10.3%, females 14.4%). Age, medication and female gender were found to be significant risk factors for xerostomia, using logistic regression analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of xerostomia (12.7%) in an English population was lower than reported in previous North American and Swedish studies. Medication was a significant risk factor for xerostomia and a better predictor of risk status, than either age or gender.
Field
E A
EA
Department of Clinical Dental Sciences, Liverpool University Dental Hospital, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5PS. e.a.field@liverpool.ac.uk
Fear
S
S
Higham
S M
SM
Ireland
R S
RS
Rostron
J
J
Willetts
R M
RM
Longman
L P
LP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000139:chemically induced*