Salivary levels of cortisol and chromogranin A in patients with dry mouth compared with age-matched controls.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the salivary levels of cortisol and chromogranin A (CgA) in patients with dry mouth (perceived xerostomia and hyposalivation) compared with age-matched controls.


METHODS
We studied 174 subjects, including those with dry mouth, classified into 2 subgroups based on perceived xerostomia and salivation, and those without (control subjects). The control subjects were patients at the same hospital and healthy volunteers. Cortisol and CgA levels in stimulated whole saliva were measured using ELISA kits.


RESULTS
All subjects with dry mouth had significantly higher cortisol and CgA levels than the control subjects. The statistical associations remained significant when they were divided into the 2 subgroups, although somewhat weaker associations were observed. The influences of xerogenic drugs were found to be minimal on salivary flow rate and levels of cortisol and CgA.


CONCLUSIONS
We found significant associations between salivary cortisol and CgA levels and symptoms of oral dryness and reduced salivary flow.
Shigeyama
Chieko
C
Division of Community Oral Health Science, Kyushu Dental College, Kitakyushu, Japan.
Ansai
Toshihiro
T
Awano
Shuji
S
Soh
Inho
I
Yoshida
Akihiro
A
Hamasaki
Tomoko
T
Kakinoki
Yasuaki
Y
Tominaga
Kazuhiro
K
Takahashi
Tetsu
T
Takehara
Tadamichi
T