Clinical characteristics and therapeutic response in patients with Burning Mouth Syndrome: accompanying 2 years

Abstract Introduction Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a condition characterized by burning symptom of the oral mucosa in the absence of clinical signs. Its etiology is still unknown and, and to date there is no effective treatment. Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate patients with BMS profile and the therapies results in a retrospective study. Material and method Clinical and therapeutic data were collected from records of patients with BMS diagnosed between January 2013 to April 2015 at the Clinic of Stomatology Clinic, Faculdade de Odontologia of Universidade de São Paulo, according to the criteria established by the International Headache Society in 2013. The therapies used for BMS control were also evaluated. Result Twelve patients were diagnosed with BMS at this period. All of them were women with a mean age of 61.18 years and the apex of the tongue was the most common affected site and the duration of the burning sensation ranged from 6 months to 25 years. Many therapies were prescribed for BMS control, such as topical capsaicin, topical clonazepan, low level laser therapy and homeopathy. Among the established therapies, capsaicin has immediate effect in reducing symptoms. Conclusion The present study showed that the challenges towards an effective treatment for BMS are varied and are mainly related to the lack knowing of the pathogenesis of this disease. The demographic profile of patients studied here was similar to that described in the available literature, however, the variables represented by secondary symptoms (medical history, anxiety and depression levels) may be modifying factors of therapeutic response and the pathogenesis of the disease itself.

摘要
灼口综合征（Burning Mouth Syndrome, BMS）是一类以口腔黏膜灼痛为核心临床表现，但无明显临床体征的疾病。其病因至今尚未阐明，目前亦无公认的有效治疗手段。
## 研究目的
本研究旨在通过回顾性研究（retrospective study），明确BMS患者的临床特征，并评估各类治疗方案的临床效果。
## 材料与方法
本研究收集了2013年1月至2015年4月期间，于圣保罗大学牙科学院口腔门诊确诊为BMS的患者的临床及治疗数据，诊断标准采用2013年国际头痛协会（International Headache Society）制定的规范，并对用于控制BMS症状的各类治疗方案进行了评估。
## 研究结果
本研究周期内共确诊12例BMS患者，全部为女性，平均年龄61.18岁。舌尖为最常见的受累部位，患者的灼痛感持续时间从6个月至25年不等。临床中为患者开具了多种对症治疗方案，包括局部辣椒素（topical capsaicin）、局部氯硝西泮（topical clonazepan）、低强度激光疗法（low level laser therapy）及顺势疗法（homeopathy）。其中，局部辣椒素可快速缓解患者的临床症状。
## 研究结论
本研究结果显示，开发BMS有效治疗方案仍面临多重挑战，核心难点在于对该疾病发病机制（pathogenesis）的认知不足。本次研究纳入患者的人口学特征与现有文献报道基本一致，但继发性症状相关变量（如既往病史、焦虑及抑郁水平）可能会影响治疗反应及疾病本身的发病机制。