title: Modified schirmer test--a screening tool for xerostomia among subjects on antidepressants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study is to assess salivary flow rate in the subjects who were on antidepressant medications and its comparison with healthy controls and assessment of unstimulated salivary flow rate by modified Schirmer test (MST) and volumetric method (spitting method) for evaluation of xerostomia and whether any correlation exists between two methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty subjects who were on antidepressants were divided into two groups: tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) and selective sertonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) of 15 each, compared with 30 age and gender matched controls. Unstimulated salivary flow rate was measured by both MST and spitting method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The unstimulated salivary flow rate measured by MST at the end of 3rd minute was 13.7 ± 10.08, 19.86 ± 8.95 and 31.0 ± 5.4 mm and by spitting method was 0.12 ± 0.07, 0.19 ± 0.10 and 0.30 ± 0.75 ml/min in TCA, SSRI and controls respectively (p<0.001). The Pearson correlation coefficient of r=0.85 shows excellent correlation between the two screening tests. Sensitivity and Specificity of MST was 90.9% and 31.5%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Salivary flow rate was less in antidepressant subjects when compared to the healthy controls. Results of the present study showed an excellent correlation excellent correlation between the two screening tests which suggests that MST can be routinely used as chair-side screening tool to evaluate hyposalivation which is time saving, patient friendly and specific of salivary secretions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, College of Dental Sciences, Davangere, Karnataka 577004 India. Electronic address: nerellanarendra@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nerella Narendra
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, College of Dental Sciences, Davangere, Karnataka 577004 India. Electronic address: dr_gmamatha@rediffmail.com.
authors.forename: Mamatha Gowda
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Panchaksharappa
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, College of Dental Sciences, Davangere, Karnataka 577004 India. Electronic address: rajeshwariannigeri@rediffmail.com.
authors.forename: Rajeshwari G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Annigeri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012472:Salivation / Q000187:drug effects*; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
keywords: Antidepressants; Modified Schirmer test; Saliva; Spitting method; Xerostomia