title: Salivary levels of cortisol and chromogranin A in patients with dry mouth compared with age-matched controls.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Community Oral Health Science, Kyushu Dental College, Kitakyushu, Japan.
authors.forename: Chieko
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shigeyama
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ansai
authors.forename: Shuji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Awano
authors.forename: Inho
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Soh
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hamasaki
authors.forename: Yasuaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kakinoki
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tominaga
authors.forename: Tetsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Tadamichi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takehara