Serum Interleukin-6 in Patients with Burning Mouth Syndrome and Relationship with Depression and Perceived Pain

/Home/Burning Mouth Syndrome Research

Abstract
Objective. To examine alteration of serum interleukin-6 and its clinical significance in burning mouth syndrome (BMS) patients.
Methods. 48 BMS patients and 31 healthy controls participated in the study. Serum interleukin-6 was measured by means of ELISA. Hamilton rating scale of depression (HRSD) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to quantitiate depressive status and pain levels of subjects, respectively.
Results. 15 (31%) patients displayed substantial depressive symptoms (HRSD ≧16). HRSD scores of patients were significantly higher than controls and positively correlated to their VAS values (P=.002). Serum interleukin-6 in patients was much lower than controls and negatively correlated to their VAS values (P=.011). However, no significant relations were found between interleukin-6 and HRSD scores (P=.317).
Conclusions. Serum interleukin-6 in patients with
burning mouth syndrome is decreased and negatively correlated to chronic pain.
Both psychological and neuropathic disorders might act as precipitating factors in
BMS etiopathogenesis.

Mediators of Inflammation
Volume 2007 (2007), Article ID 45327, 4 pages
doi:10.1155/2007/45327
Qianming Chen,1 Juan Xia,2 Mei Lin,1 Hongmei Zhou,1 and Bingqi Li1

1Department of Oral Medicine, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
2Department of Oral Medicine, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510055, China