Relationships between age, drugs, oral sensorial complaints and salivary profile

Relationships between age, drugs, oral sensorial complaints and salivary profile
January 2005
Accepted 30 July 2004. Available online 6 October 2004.
Rafael M. Nagler, and Oded Hershkovich
Archives of Oral Biology
Volume 50, Issue 1
ScienceDirect
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Biochemistry Laboratory and Salivary Clinic, Rambam Medical Centre and Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
Summary
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between oral sensorial complaints (OSCs) and salivary flow rate, composition and drug consumption of subjects aged 18ÇƒÏ90 years. The results were correlated with both drug consumption and OSCs. Only individuals who were free of conditions that are already known to cause OSCs were included in the study.
The three most significant observations were as follows: (1) elderly people have significantly reduced and altered salivary secretion compared with younger people. While specific concentrations increased, the total values of most salivary components decreased in the elderly; (2) 50% of the elderly population have OSCs regarding taste, burning mouth syndrome or xerostomia; and (3) OSCs were more prevalent in elderly people who use drugs than in those who do not.
In conclusion, a reduction in salivary function and altered composition are age related. A compensatory capacity that prevents OSCs appears to exist in elderly patients who do not use drugs, but drugs were found to have an extensive effect on OSCs. The finding that the total amounts of salivary components and not only the salivary flow rate were reduced in elderly people is of great clinical relevance, since such a reduction is expected to be reflected in compromising various salivary functions.
Keywords: Age; Saliva; Flow rate; Composition; Xerostomia; Burning mouth syndrome; Taste
Abbreviations: OSCs, oral sensorial complaints; BMS, burning mouth syndrome; UA, uric acid; TP, total protein; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; Ig, immunoglobulin; Sm, submandibular

Corresponding author. Tel.: +972 4 644 2003; fax: +972 4 654 1295.
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