[Influence of tendencies toward depression, neurosis and psychosomatic disorders on oral symptoms].
This study revealed that the tendencies towards depression, neurosis, and psychosomatic disorders have effects on oral symptoms. The total number of subjects was 102. The subjects were divided into two groups using the SDS (Self-rating Depression Scale): a control group of 66 subjects with an SDS value of less than 40, and a group of 36 subjects having depression tendencies with an SDS value of over 50. Most of the subjects in the depression tendency group showed symptoms of neurosis and psychosomatic disorders as well. The two groups were compared on the basis of their psychological characteristics, dosages of medicine taken, esthesis of mouth dryness, glossalgia, salivary flow rate, oral wettability, existence of dental cavities, and condition of the oral mucosa. No xerostomia at the mucobuccal fold was observed in the depression tendency group. However, there was an evident decrease of the resting salivary flow rate and the wettability of proglossis. It is considered that such a decrease resulted in an increase in the symptoms derived from xerostomia or esthesis of mouth dryness. The number of conservable but untreated dental cavities in the depression tendency group was larger than that in the control group with a significant difference, suggesting that both oral self-care and dental care management tended to be inadequate in the depression tendency group.
Sasaki
Emi
E
Head and Neck Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Comprehensive Oral Health Care, Division of Comprehensive Patient Care, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D012737:Sex Factors