A pilot study of a simple screening technique for estimation of salivary flow

BackgroundThe most advocated clinical method for diagnosing salivary dysfunction is to quantitate unstimulated and stimulated whole saliva (sialometry). Since there is an expected and wide variation in salivary flow rates among individuals, the assessment of dysfunction can be difficult. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the quality of the evidence for the efficacy of diagnostic methods used to identify oral dryness.MethodsA literature search, with specific indexing terms and a hand search, was conducted for publications that described a method to diagnose oral dryness. The electronic databases of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were used as data sources. Four reviewers selected publications on the basis of predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted from the selected publications using a protocol. Original studies were interpreted with the aid of Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) tool.ResultsThe database searches resulted in 224 titles and abstracts. Of these abstracts, 80 publications were judged to meet the inclusion criteria and read in full. A total of 18 original studies were judged relevant and interpreted for this review. In all studies, the results of the test method were compared to those of a reference method.Based on the interpretation (with the aid of the QUADAS tool) it can be reported that the patient selection criteria were not clearly described and the test or reference methods were not described in sufficient detail for it to be reproduced. None of the included studies reported information on uninterpretable/intermediate results nor data on observer or instrument variation. Seven of the studies presented their results as a percentage of correct diagnoses.ConclusionsThe evidence for the efficacy of clinical methods to assess oral dryness is sparse and it can be stated that improved standards for the reporting of diagnostic accuracy are needed in order to assure the methodological quality of studies. There is need for effective diagnostic criteria and functional tests in order to detect those individuals with oral dryness who may require oral treatment, such as alleviation of discomfort and/or prevention of diseases.

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“…The remaining 11 studies [4,32,35,38-42,45-47] described different methods for determining salivary hypofunction.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review of methods to diagnose oral dryness and salivary gland function

et al. 2012

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“…Kanehira et al (15) described a novel assay system comprising 3 spots containing starch and potassium iodide, and a coloring reagent, based on the color reaction of iodinestarch. However, none of these methods are suitable for public health dentistry clinics due to its intrinsic financial costs (15).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of graduated syringes for measuring salivary flow rate: a pilot study

et al. 2010

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The evaluation of the salivary flow rate is important in several situations of dental practice. However, weighing the collected salivary volume it is not a practical method in public health services. This work evaluated the use of hypodermic graduated syringes as a simpler alternative method to measure the salivary flow rate. Saliva samples were obtained from 50 individuals (31 females and 19 males) aged 8 to 32 years (mean age: 12.4 years), recruited at the outpatient dental clinics of two public health centers. After collection, the saliva was weighed in a graduated scale and the results compared with the volume obtained through its measurement, in mL, in graduated hypodermic syringes. There was a positive and significant relationship between the two methods of measuring salivary flow rates as demonstrated by the Pearson's correlation coefficient (r = 0.996, with p<0.05). Measurement of the salivary flow rate using graduated syringes demonstrated to be a reliable method, with lower cost and more practical than the traditional method of salivary weighing.

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“…Colored spot is based on the reaction of saliva between potassium iodide and starch in the chromatography paper and the color reaction of iodine-starch to hydrogen peroxide. [5] Un-stimulated saliva reflects the basal salivary flow rate while stimulated saliva represents the functional reserve of the salivary glands. So the study of un-stimulated saliva is useful for the study of the salivary gland status.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%