Factors associated with xerostomia in perimenopausal women

Abstract

Objectives: Various oral symptoms, including xerostomia and burning mouth syndrome, may occur in menopausal women. These symptoms reduce quality of life (QOL). However, the actual condition of xerostomia after menopause is not clear. The purpose of this study was to reveal the factors associated with xerostomia in perimenopausal women. Methods: Participants included 118 outpatients (mean age, 49.9 AE 3.2 years; range, 45-55 years) at a department of gynecology in Japan. Information was collected concerning age, medical history, medications, menstrual status, and history of treatment for climacteric symptoms. Oral symptoms, including xerostomia were evaluated with a 3-point scale. The climacteric symptom checklist for Japanese women and 36-Item Short-Form Health were used to evaluate climacteric symptoms and QOL, respectively. In addition, the volume of unstimulated saliva, oral moisture, salivary α-amylase, chromogranin A, and 17-β estradiol were measured. Results: Higher age, the total number of medications, psychotropic drug, hormone replacement therapy, treatment for climacteric symptoms, sticky mouth, burning sensation of tongue, dryness of nose and 14 of the 21 climacteric symptoms significantly affected xerostomia. In addition, treatment for climacteric symptoms, fall asleep but often awake at night, headaches and dryness of nose were significantly associated with xerostomia. In conclusion, xerostomia is closely associated to factors such as treatment for climacteric symptoms and certain menopausal symptoms, and it may be related to QOL in perimenopausal women.

A prediction model for xerostomia in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients receiving radical radiotherapy

“…This difference may be because the inclusion and exclusion criterion of studies was not the same. Older age was a risk factor for xerostomia in many patients [ 47 , 48 ]. This provide evidence to the results in our study, which identified that the risk of age was associated with the occurrence of xerostomia in locoregionally advanced NPC patients receiving radical radiotherapy.…”

Bioengineering in salivary gland regeneration

“…SG dysfunction can lead to quantitative and/or qualitative changes in saliva composition and flow, leading to hyposalivation (manifesting as xerostomia) or hypersalivation (sialorrhea or hypersialia) [ 34 , 41 ]. Xerostomia affects at least 10% of the adult population, with women and older people being more affected [ 42 ]. In opposition, sialorrhea, also known as drooling, may result from genuine SG alteration (primary sialorrhea), medication side effects, or may be associated with neurological disorders due to an impairment of voluntary oral motor activity or sensory ability (secondary sialorrhea) [ 34 ].…”

“…Due to its composition, saliva plays major role in food handling, teeth protection, and defense against microorganisms [ 43 ]. Therefore, persistent and severe SG hypofunction commonly predisposes patients to mucosal changes, caries, and other viral and bacterial infections [ 42 ]. The most common cause of SG hypofunction leading to xerostomia, especially in elderly people, is represented by the side effects of various medications [ 44 , 45 ].…”

Menopause, skin and common dermatoses. Part 4: oral disorders

“…found that although salivary flow rates were reduced in postmenopausal women, there was no association with the sensation of dry mouth. The cause of xerostomia is multifactorial, and currently no topical therapy has proven to be most effective in reducing the symptoms of dry mouth 13,15 . A recent case–control study conducted by Wang et al 16 .…”