The influence of medication on salivary flow of the elderly: preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
This study was to evaluate the influence of medications on unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow in elderly men and women.


BACKGROUND
Several diseases and conditions are associated with decreasing salivary flow. Medications can be risk factors for hyposalivation due to the effect particular drug categories.


METHODS
Seventy-five elderly of both gender (sixty years old or over) from the Geriatric Dental Clinic at the Federal Fluminense University Dental School, were interviewed about their health status and chronic use of medication. After the interview, unstimulated and stimulated saliva were collected from each subject. The collection time was five minutes, and the flow rate was calculated as ml/min.


RESULTS
The mean unstimulated salivary flow was 0.25 ml/min for women and 0.30 ml/min for men, while the mean for stimulated salivary flow was 1.23 ml/min for women and 1.31 ml/min for men, without both differences being non-significant (p > 0.05). The difference between the mean production of unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow was statistically significant, regardless of gender (p < 0.01). A significant reduction of stimulated salivary flow was observed with the usage of cardiovascular agents (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Drugs used in cardiovascular disease influence the flow of stimulated saliva.
Scelza
Miriam F Zaccaro
MF
Department of Endodontics and Geriatric Dentistry, Federal Fluminense University (UFF), Niterói, RJ, Brazil. scelza@terra.com.br
Silva
Danielle de Freitas
Dde F
Ahiadzro
Nutifafa Kwaku
NK
Da Silva
Licinio Esmeraldo
LE
Scelza
Pantaleo
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004358:Drug Therapy; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010600:Pharmacology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012463:Saliva / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D014815:Vitamins