Risk factors in burning mouth syndrome: a case–control study based on patient records

Abstract

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a multifactorial condition which is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate a group of patients with BMS, as compared to a control group, and to describe related local and systemic factors. Records of patients referred to the Oral Pathology Service at the School of Dentistry over a period of 7 years were considered for the study, within which 32 patients with a diagnosis of BMS were found. A randomized group matched for age and gender was also evaluated for the study. Data were analyzed statistically using the SPSS 12.0 for Windows. Prevalence of BMS was 0.99% (32 BMS patients/3,243 records), considering that females were more commonly affected than were males and that the majority of the individuals were in their sixties. The univariate analysis performed comparing the two groups revealed statistical differences concerning the presence of gastrointestinal diseases (p = 0.003) and urogenital diseases (p = 0.012). The intake of H-2 receptor antagonist and proton pump inhibitor drugs (p = 0.015) also proved to be significant. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that gastrointestinal and urogenital problems were indeed risk factors that were solely associated with BMS. Although a diversity of related factors could be identified, gastrointestinal problems were the most prevalent, suggesting that the management of BMS patients requires attention and an appropriate approach to such disorders.

Evaluating the Etiologies of Burning Mouth Symptom in Patients of Shiraz Dental School from 2007 to 2015

“…The epidemiology of BMS is imprecise in literature because of the wide range of definitions and diagnostic criteria. Most studies investigate the cause of oral burning pain rather than idiopathic BMS (3,4,14,15). The concept of a pragmatic approach in dividing BMS into primary (idiopathic) and secondary (with a known cause) was first introduced by Scala et al (11) and supported by others in the literature (3,4).…”

Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Review

“…Burning mouth syndrome is typically described by the patient as burning, stinging and/or itching of the oral cavity in the absence of any organic disease. It lasts at least for 4-6 months duration and typically located on the tongue, particularly in the tip and lateral borders, lips, hard & soft palate, alveolar ridges with the buccal mucosa and floor of the mouth being less frequently involved [2][3][4][5] . BMS mainly affects middle aged or old women with hormonal changes or psychological disorders [6][7][8] .…”

Burning Mouth Syndrome –Latest update

“…For example, one study found age-adjusted prevalence rates of 18.8 and 3.7 cases in women and men, respectively in 100,000 people 15 , while another investigation discovered that BMS occurs in 1 in every 1,000 subjects, mainly in women over 50 years old 16 . Also, the evaluation of 3,243 medical records found that 0.99% of patients could have BMS 17 . Women are the most affected group, usually at a 7 to 1 ratio against men, 90% of whom are in the perimenopausal stage.…”

“…The burning sensation is felt in the morning, worsening progressively during the day and subsiding at night 3,11 . Risk factors include standing gastrointestinal or urogenital conditions 12,17 , mild neuropathy in small autonomic and sensory fibers, side effects of medical drugs, and former smoking habit 12 .…”

“…The evaluation of the thyroidal function and of vitamin B12, iron, and hemoglobin levels should be included in the investigation of the origins of BMS 17,25,64 . The success rate of 44.4% in treatments based on supplementation with B complex vitamins, folic acid, iron, and zinc underscores the relevance of serum levels of homocysteine as a predictor of subclinical megaloblastic anemia 75 .…”