title: Analgesic effect of topical oral capsaicin gel in burning mouth syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effectiveness of repeated topical application of oral capsaicin gel in two different concentrations for relief of burning/stinging sensations in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS).
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized double-blind cross-over study included 22 female patients with BMS. The patients were randomized for topical application of either 0.01% or 0.025% oral capsaicin gel on the dorsal part of tongue three times daily for 14 days, followed by 14 days wash-out period, and finally treatment with the other concentration of oral gel three times daily for 14 days. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the severity of pain five times during the intervention period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  18 patients completed the intervention. Their VAS score at baseline was 5.5 ± 0.6 cm (mean ± SD). Treatment with the two concentrations of capsaicin gels significantly improved the burning/stinging symptoms assessed on VAS compared with baseline (p = 0.002). There was no statistically significant difference between the two concentrations of the gels on relieving symptoms. Four patients dropped out during the intervention period due to gastrointestinal side-effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical capsaicin might be an alternative for the short-term treatment of BMS. However, further studies are needed to investigate especially the gastro-intestinal side-effects which may limit its long-term use.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Odontology, Section for Oral Medicine, Clinical Oral Physiology, Oral Anatomy and Pathology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen N , Denmark.
authors.forename: Mette Rose
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
authors.affiliation: a Department of Odontology, Section for Oral Medicine, Clinical Oral Physiology, Oral Anatomy and Pathology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen N , Denmark.
authors.forename: Anne Marie Lynge
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pedersen
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002054:Burning Mouth Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D010147:Pain Measurement; D018689:Sensory System Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D018689:Sensory System Agents; D002211:Capsaicin
keywords: Glossodynia; local anesthetics; neuropathic