title: Xerostomia among older home care clients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine drug use and other factors associated with xerostomia in home care clients aged 75 years or older.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample included 270 home care clients aged ≥75 years living in Eastern and Central Finland. The home care clients underwent in-home interviews carried out by trained home care nurses, nutritionists, dental hygienists and pharmacists. The collected data contained information on sociodemographic factors, health and oral health status, drug use, depressive symptoms (GDS-15), cognitive functioning (MMSE), functional ability (Barthel Index, IADL) and nutrition (MNA). The primary outcome was xerostomia status (never, occasionally or continuously).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the home care clients, 56% (n = 150) suffered from xerostomia. Persons with continuous xerostomia used more drugs and had more depressive symptoms and a higher number of comorbidities than other home care clients. In multivariate analyses, excessive polypharmacy (OR = 1.83, 95% Cl 1.08-3.10) and depressive symptoms (OR = 1.12, 95% Cl 1.03-1.22) were associated with xerostomia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Xerostomia is a common problem among old home care clients. Excessive polypharmacy, use of particular drug groups and depressive symptoms were associated with xerostomia. The findings support the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the care of older home care clients.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Sari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Viljakainen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.|Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Irma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nykänen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Riitta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ahonen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Dentistry, School of Medicines, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Kaija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Komulainen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Dentistry, School of Medicines, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.|Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Anna Liisa
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Suominen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.|Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.|Research Centre for Comparative Effectiveness and Patient Safety (RECEPS), University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Sirpa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hartikainen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.|Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Miia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tiihonen
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D019338:Polypharmacy; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D055553:Prescription Drugs
keywords: drug use; home care; older people; polypharmacy; xerostomia