[Clinical epidemiological study of xerostomia in elderly totally edentulous].
BACKGROUND
Because of an increasing number of older people in our community presenting with a variable decrease of salivary flow which affects their quality of life, we aimed to analyze the prevalence of salivary decrease and xerostomia in relation to various causing factors.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence of a decrease of normal salivary secretion and xerostomia in relation to various factors in the older population of our community.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty-six edentulous male and female subjects older than 50 years (62.41 8.24) were entered . A chart was specially designed for this study where both local and general predisposing factors were recorded. The results were statistically analyzed.(P < 0.05)


RESULTS
40.5% of the subjects had xerostomia. The number of cases increased with age and was larger among women, being differences statistically significant in women aged 60-69 years. 34.9% appeared to be in good health, 65.1% suffered from one or more systemic diseases, while 53.3% used medication daily (2.4 +/- 1.10 daily drugs).


CONCLUSIONS
There were significant differences when scarce salivary flow and a feeling of oral dryness were associated with health problems and the use of medication. The study showed that old age is a major factor in the decrease of salivary secretion and xerostomia, and that women are usually more affected.


CONCLUSIONS
Xerostomia may be attributed to various causes. It is not considered a disease but a clinical manifestation of oral dryness with or without hyposalivation. Once the disorder has been identified, health professionals should join to design a suitable treatment planning.
Pescio
Jorge J
JJ
Cátedra de Prostodoncia III B. Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Pabellón Argentina, Ciudad Universitaria Córdoba. jpescio@odo.unc.edu.ar
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012472:Salivation / Q000502:physiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology