J Oral Med Pain.  2021 Dec;46(4):109-116. 10.14476/jomp.2021.46.4.109.

Comparison of Objective and Subjective Diagnostic Tests for Assessing Oral Dryness in Healthy Participants

• Shin JH
• Kim HK
• Kim ME

• KMID: 2552216
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14476/jomp.2021.46.4.109

Abstract

Purpose
Xerostomia is subjective feeling of dry mouth. It is complicated and multifactorial, which burdens clinicians in diagnosis and treatment of the problem. The goal of this study was to discuss the clinical importance of salivary flow rate, pH and subjective symptoms for evaluating oral dryness among young healthy male subjects.
Methods
Thirty male participants were recruited in this study (mean age±standard deviation of 25.70±1.84). All participants completed ‘Xerostomia Inventory’ to measure subjective oral dryness scores. Unstimulated saliva and stimulated saliva were collected from each participant twice a day at 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm, using spitting method. Salivary flow rates and pH were measured immediately after collection. Relationship between objective and subjective measurements were analyzed.
Results
There were excellent intra-examiner reliability for salivary flow rate and pH and good internal consistency for Xerostomia Inventory. Objective measurements and subjective symptoms did not exhibit positive association. Salivary flow rate in unstimulated and stimulated condition showed positive association and also for salivary pH. Stimulated salivary flow rate also presented positive correlation with stimulated salivary pH.
Conclusions
Comprehensive assessment of objective measurements and subjective symptoms may be complimentary for assessing oral dryness, which would assist in implementing early interventions to improve patient’s quality of life.

Keyword

Flow rate; pH; Questionnaire; Saliva; Xerostomia