title: Comparison of Salivary Cortisol and α-amylase Levels and Psychological Profiles in Patients with Burning Mouth Syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to compare salivary cortisol and α-amylase levels and psychological profiles in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and healthy subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Spitting method was used to collect unstimulated salivary. Salivary cortisol and α-amylase levels were determined using ELISA and the Caraway starch-iodine technique. SLC-90 questionnaire was used to determine the psychological profiles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The difference between mean of salivary cortisol levels in patients with BMS and in healthy subjects was not significant (4.50 ± 3.68 ng/mL vs. 3.69 ± 3.07 ng/mL, p = 0.377). The difference between mean of α-amylase levels in the BMS patients and healthy subjects was significant (351.68 ± 142.5 and 146.22 ± 130.4, p = 0.001). Note that, 83.4% and 18% of the patients in the case and control groups had psychological problems (p = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results showed higher salivary levels of cortisol and α-amylase in patients with BMS compared to healthy individuals. Psychological problem was prevalent in patients.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Oral and Dental Disease Research Center, Department of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Zahedan University of Medical Science, Zahedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Tahereh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nosratzehi
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Science, Zahedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Saeedeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salimi
authors.affiliation: Dentist, Zahedan University of Medical Science, Zahedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Azadeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parvaee
mesh_terms: D002054:Burning Mouth Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000516:alpha-Amylases; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: burning mouth syndrome; cortisol; saliva; α-amylase