Xerostomia and medications among 32-year-olds.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the prevalence and associations of xerostomia among adults in their early thirties, with particular attention to medication exposure as a putative risk factor.


METHODS
The prevalence and associations of xerostomia were investigated among 32-year-old participants in a long-standing prospective cohort study. Some 950 individuals were assessed at ages 26 and 32 years, with medications being recorded on both occasions.


RESULTS
The prevalence of xerostomia was 10.0% (with no apparent gender difference), and was significantly higher among those taking antidepressants (odds ratio = 4.7), iron supplements (OR = 4.1) or narcotic analgesics (OR = 2.4). Those taking antidepressants at both ages 26 and 32 years had 22 times the odds of reporting xerostomia.


CONCLUSIONS
Xerostomia may be a problem for a sizeable minority of young adults.
Murray Thomson
William
W
Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. murray.thomson@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
Poulton
Richie
R
Mark Broadbent
Jonathan
J
Al-Kubaisy
Shaima
S
D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D007501:Iron