Preliminary Results of Steroid Gargle Treatment and Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Burning Mouth Syndrome

Choung, Yun Hoon; Cho, Min Jung; Kim, Chul Ho; Lee, Jinseok; Kang, Sung Ook

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterized by a burning sensation in the tongue or other oral sites, usually in the absence of clinical and laboratory abnormal findings. BMS is not an uncommon disease that ENT doctors can encounter in the OPD clinics. However, the causes, pathophysiology, and treatment of BMS are not known yet, and there are just a few reported articles. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of BMS and to evaluate the effects of steroid gargle treatments. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We reviewed 18 patients with BMS who visited the Department of Otolaryngology, Ajou University Hospital. The patients were analyzed according to the sites, duration of their burning sensations and associated symptoms. Furthermore, the interview included inquiries regarding current diseases, on-going medications, smoking history and psychological factors. The change of symptoms after steroid gargle treatment with/without other drugs was carefully analyzed. RESULTS: The average age of patients with BMS was 56.4 years old, and the male to female ratio was 8:10. The most frequently involved site was tongue (94.4%), followed by lower lip, gingiva, palate, and floor of mouth. We found that the causes of BMS were psychogenic factors for 4 patients, and diabetes mellitus and hypertension for 2 patients each. Approximately 80.0% (8/10 patients) of the women was menopausal. Six (50.0%) of 12 patients treated only with steroid gargle and 3 (75.5%) of 4 patients treated with steroid gargle and other medications showed relieved symptoms. CONCLUSION: Burning mouth syndrome is not an uncommon disease in the ENT field, and has complex etiology. Although the definitive treatment for BMS is not known yet, we think that steroid gargle may be helpful in the treatment of BMS.