Different saliva substitutes for treatment of xerostomia following radiotherapy. A prospective crossover study.
OBJECTIVE
Xerostomia is an important chronic side effect of radiotherapy in the head and neck area. The authors investigated the efficacy of different artificial saliva compounds in patients with postirradiation xerostomia.


METHODS
In 120 patients with xerostomia after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, four different saliva substitute compounds (gel, carmellose spray, oil, mucin spray) were tested in a prospective crossover design. Xerostomia at baseline and under treatment with each compound was measured with a questionnaire approved in a pilot trial.


RESULTS
All compounds significantly improved xerostomia when compared to baseline situation (p < 0.0001). The gel was rated best, the carmellose spray was rated worst by the patients, but the single compounds did not differ significantly in their effects. In spite of this result, most patients chose the carmellose spray as their favorite compound. This is due to its good taste and easy handling, which play an important role for the acceptance of the products. Big individual differences in the preference of the single compounds were found.


CONCLUSIONS
For most patients considerable relief from xerostomia can be reached by saliva substitutes. Thus, every patient with xerostomia should be given different artificial saliva compounds for a test period. This will help to find the individually best way to cope with the dry mouth.
Momm
Felix
F
Department of Radiotherapy, University Clinic Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. momm@mst1.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Volegova-Neher
Natalja Jurievna
NJ
Schulte-Mönting
Jürgen
J
Guttenberger
Roland
R
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002755:Choice Behavior; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012464:Saliva, Artificial / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014985:Xerophthalmia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*
D012464:Saliva, Artificial