Prevalence of Dry Mouth (Xerostomia) and Hyposalivation in Individuals with no Oro-Dental Complications in Shiraz, Iran

Saliva is one of the most important body fluids. The lack of this fluid has many outcomes for the patient. The aim of the present study was to detect objective and subjective dry mouth in individuals with no oro-dental complications in Shiraz, Iran and compare these factors to depression level, medication intake and level of education. 

In the present descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Shiraz Dental School in 2018, 450 samples were selected from the Patients' companions referred to Shiraz Dental School over 18 years. In the present study, the Fox questionnaire was used to mentally assess dry mouth (zerostomia) and the Zong self-assessment scale was used to assess depression. Spitting method was used to evaluate the amount of stimulated and unstimulated saliva (objective dry mouth or hyposalivation). When saliva was less than 0.1 g/min, objective dry mouth was stimulated and when saliva was less than 0.7g/min, objective dry mouth was considered non-irritating. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and chi-square test.

In the present study, 399 patients (118 males, 280 females) were studied. Dry mouth (zerostomia) was found in 46% of the population. However, 18.5% had non-stimulated objective dry mouth and 12.3% had objectively stimulated dry mouth. Patients aged 30 to 45 years suffered more from mental and objective dry mouth compared to other age groups (p=0.048 and p=0.032). Depression, use of antihypertensive and antidiabetic drugs and low level of education were significantly associated with objective dry mouth (p<0.01, p<0.01 and p=0.038).

Mental dry mouth can occur apart from objective dry mouth. Correspondingly, dry mouth as an objective and mental symptom can be seen not only in the elderly but similarly in the young peoples. Physicians and dentists must deal with the factors that cause this complication, such as; depression, medications, and education levels as a disabling and destructive condition that affects all age groups.