Chemosensory Function in Burning Mouth Syndrome a Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Taste and smell are considered to be functions that contribute to the maintenance of good nutritional status. The present study evaluates taste and smell function in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) versus a control group. A cross-sectional study was made of 36 consecutive patients with BMS and 56 healthy patients. Smell was assessed using the Sniffin’ Sticks test, while taste was evaluated with Taste Strips. Oral quality of life was assessed with the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), and the severity of dry mouth with the Thompson Xerostomia Inventory. The patients with BMS had a mean age of 60.4 0 ± 10.5 years, while the controls had a mean age of 61.3 ± 19 years. No significant differences in smell were recorded between the two groups. In contrast, significant differences in taste function were observed between the patients with BMS and the controls. In the patients with BMS, 44.4% suffered taste alterations compared with the 3.4% healthy controls. Further studies in such patients are needed to allow improved management of the chemosensory problems, mouth dryness, and oral health-related quality of life in BMS.

Clinical Utility of Quantitative Parameters of Salivary Gland Scintigraphy for Diagnosing Burning Mouth Syndrome

“…Although the pathophysiology of BMS is largely unknown, one of the suggested mechanisms involves taste and sensory system interactions [ 27 ]. In addition to pain and a burning sensation in the oral cavity, reduced or distorted taste perception is also a very common symptom in patients with BMS, which has been found in approximately two-thirds of patients [ 28 ]. In a previous study, dysfunction of the chorda tympani, a branch of the facial nerve that innervates taste sensation of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, was found in 82% of patients with BMS, suggesting that alterations of taste sensation in BMS could be a result of damage to the chorda tympani [ 29 ].…”

Ardência Bucal: Como o clínico deve interpretar?

“…The association of BMS with nutritional deficiencies, including iron, folic acid, zinc, and B-complex vitamins, has been reported, with evidence suggesting improvement of symptoms after appropriate replacement therapy [17].…”