Prevalence of xerostomia and its association with systemic diseases and medications in the elderly: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Dry mouth syndrome or xerostomia is defined as decreased salivary flow or hypofunction of salivary glands. Its origins are multicausal and might be the result of a change in the salivary glands or a systemic imbalance. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the prevalence of self-reported xerostomia and to identify associated factors. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study on the entire population of 293 elderly people over 60 years of age living in a Brazilian municipality. METHODS: Data were gathered from a questionnaire that asked about demographic data, chronic diseases and use of continuous medications, and which used the Xerostomia Inventory (XI) to evaluate dry mouth sensation. Our analysis consisted of multivariate regression and estimation of odds ratios (OR) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (CI) in binary logistic regression models. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported xerostomia was 19.1%. Elderly people with diabetes had higher odds of having self-reported xerostomia (OR: 3.59; 95% CI: 1.48-8.68; P < 0.001) as did those who had chronic diseases and used continuous medication (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.19-4.67; P = 0.009). Elderly people who used continuous medication for the gastrointestinal tract were more likely to have xerostomia (OR: 2.14; 95% CI: 1.03-1.44; P = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly people with diabetes and chronic diseases who were using continuous medication were more likely to have dry mouth. Use of continuous medications for the gastrointestinal tract led to a greater chance of having self-reported xerostomia.

摘要 背景：口干综合征（dry mouth syndrome）或口干症（xerostomia）被定义为唾液分泌减少或唾液腺功能减退。其病因具有多源性，可由唾液腺病变或全身性失衡引发。研究目的：明确自我报告口干症的患病率，并识别相关影响因素。设计与研究场景：针对巴西某市镇居住的293名60岁以上老年人群体开展的横断面研究。研究方法：通过调查问卷收集人口统计学资料、慢性病史及长期用药情况，并采用口干症量表（Xerostomia Inventory, XI）评估口干症状。本研究采用多因素回归分析，通过二元logistic回归模型计算比值比（odds ratios, OR）及其对应的95%置信区间（confidence intervals, CI）。研究结果：自我报告口干症的患病率为19.1%。合并糖尿病的老年人群自我报告口干症的比值比更高（OR=3.59；95%CI：1.48~8.68；P<0.001）；患有慢性病且长期用药的老年人群比值比同样升高（OR=2.3；95%CI：1.19~4.67；P=0.009）。长期使用胃肠道用药的老年人群口干症患病风险更高（OR=2.14；95%CI：1.03~1.44；P=0.030）。研究结论：合并糖尿病、慢性病且长期用药的老年人群更易出现口干症状。长期使用胃肠道系统用药会增加自我报告口干症的发生风险。