Comparison between burning mouth syndrome patients with and without psychological problems

Clinical characteristics and salivary biomarkers of burning mouth syndrome

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the clinical characteristics and salivary biomarkers in each type of burning mouth syndrome (BMS) patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-eight postmenopausal female patients with BMS were included. Fifty and 21 patients were assigned to the primary and secondary groups, respectively. Twenty-seven patients with both primary and secondary characteristics were assigned to the intermediate group. Comprehensive clinical characteristics and salivary biomarkers were analyzed.

RESULTS

Significant differences in age, proportion of hyposalivator patients based on unstimulated whole saliva (UWS), symptom distribution, severties of burning sensation and effect of oral complaints in daily life (Eff-life), and positive symptom distress index (PSDI) were observed among the three groups. The primary group had significant higher UWS flow rate, fewer UWS hyposalivator proportions, and lesser severity of Eff-life than the secondary group. The intermediate group had significantly greater intensities of burning sensation and Eff-life and higher PSDI score than did the primary group. The primary group had significantly higher cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels in stimulated whole saliva than did the secondary group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study's findings show that clinical characteristics differentiate each BMS type. Cortisol and DHEA levels are potential salivary biomarkers for discriminating between the primary and secondary types of BMS.

Clinical and epidemiological profile of burning mouth syndrome patients following the International Headache Society classification: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aimed to determine the clinical and epidemiologic profile of patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) following the current classification of the International Headache Society (IHS)-the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) and the International Classification of Orofacial Pain (ICOP).

STUDY DESIGN

This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist and involved a comprehensive search on PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, LILACS, and the gray literature.

RESULTS

Of the 4,252 studies identified, 41 were included. In general, there were no differences between the clinical and epidemiologic profiles of patients with BMS classified based on ICHD-3 or ICOP. Studies were pooled in meta-analyses and showed a significant prevalence of female patients between the sixth and seventh decade of life. The burning sensation and the tongue were the most prevalent descriptors and affected location. Significant associations were demonstrated between BMS and anxiety (P = .0006), depression (P = .004), and poor oral hygiene (P = .00001).

CONCLUSIONS

Under the existing contemporary classification systems, patients with BMS were found to be mostly females in the sixth and seventh decade of life with a burning sensation on the tongue. Experiencing depression and anxiety was a commonly existing comorbidity.

Clinical Features and Variations of Pain Expressions in 834 Burning Mouth Syndrome Patients With or Without Psychiatric Comorbidities

Introduction Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterized as chronic burning pain or unpleasant discomfort in the oral region without any corresponding clinical abnormalities. The aim of this study is to investigate the difference in clinical features and the variations of pain expressions between BMS patients with and without psychiatric comorbidities. Methodology The patients with BMS who first visited between April 2016 and March 2020 were involved and the clinical data including the presence of psychiatric comorbidities and scores of self-rating depression scale (SDS), pain catastrophizing scale (PCS), and pain quality from short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) were collected retrospectively. Results In 834 patients with BMS (700 females, 63.9 ± 13.1 years old), 371 patients (44.5%) had psychiatric comorbidities. There was no significant between-group difference in demographic data. However, significantly higher scores were observed in SDS (p < 0.001) and PCS (p < 0.001) in the patients with psychiatric comorbidities. Moreover, the patients with psychiatric comorbidities showed significantly stronger pain intensity (p < 0.001) besides higher scores of each descriptor in SF-MPQ. In addition, they had chosen more descriptors in SF-MPQ (p < 0.001); furthermore, the number of selected pain descriptors showed a stronger correlation with PCS than with SDS regardless of the presence of psychiatric comorbidities. Conclusion BMS patients may complain of various pain expressions regardless of the psychiatric comorbidities; however, more severe complaints relating to high pain catastrophizing are more likely in patients with psychiatric comorbidities. These results suggested that underlying anxiety exacerbated the variety of pain expressions in BMS patients with psychiatric comorbidities.

Is burning mouth syndrome associated with stress? A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Some studies have shown burning mouth syndrome (BMS) as comorbid psychosocial and psychiatric disorders, and as well, pointed at stress as a major risk factor.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this meta-analysis was to answer the following question: 'Is there an association between BMS and stress, compared to healthy controls?'

METHODS

Two reviewers searched for the effect of stress in BMS and published on five main databases and three from the grey literature. Various questionnaires and biomarkers were analysed. Of the 2489 selected articles, 30 met the inclusion criteria. Studies englobed questionnaires, such as Perceived Stress Questionnaire, Lipp Stress Symptoms Inventory, Holmes-Rahe scale, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Recent Experience Test; and various biomarkers, such as cortisol, opiorphin, IgA, α-amylase and interleukins.

RESULTS

In all studies with questionnaires, stress was significantly increased in the BMS group vs. control. Patients with BMS presented 25.73% higher cortisol levels, 28.17% higher IgA levels and 40.62% higher α-amylase levels than controls. Meta-analysis found that BMS subjects presented 3.01 nmoL/L [0.53; 5.50] higher cortisol levels, 84.35 kU/L [15.00; 153.71] higher α-amylase levels, 29.25 mg/mL [9.86; 48.64] higher IgA levels and 258.59 pg/mL [59.24; 457.94] higher IL-8 levels than control. No differences were found for opiorphin concentration in ng/mL [-0.96; 2.53]. For interleukins, no differences were founded for IL-1 β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α.

CONCLUSION

Based on the available evidence, this meta-analysis suggests more stress factors in questionnaire-based studies, and higher levels of cortisol, α-amylase, IgA and IL-8 biomarkers in BMS subjects than controls.

Long-term prognosis of burning mouth syndrome following treatment

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term prognosis of patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) after the termination or discontinuation of treatment and to identify the clinical characteristics that might affect that prognosis. Of 769 patients with an oral burning sensation, 202 with primary BMS who had been treated for at least 3 months were included. Among them, 28 patients who responded to the treatment and 25 patients who did not were assigned to responder and non-responder groups, respectively. Based on telephone interviews, the responders were classified into relapse and non-relapse subgroups, and the non-responder group into persistence and remission subgroups. The majority of responders reported no oral discomfort since their last visit. Compared with the non-relapse subgroup, the relapse subgroup had significantly higher levels of xerostomia at the first visit (P = 0.026) and taste disturbance at the last visit (P = 0.015). The majority of non-responders reported persistent oral discomfort since their last visit. No significant differences were found in the characteristics of oral symptoms between the persistence and remission subgroups. In conclusion, the treatment outcomes in the majority of responders and non-responders were maintained following treatment. Xerostomia and taste disturbance were associated with relapse of oral discomfort in the responders.

Comparison of Clonazepam and Tongue Protector in the Treatment of Burning Mouth Syndrome

Background: BMS is a chronic pain syndrome affecting the oral mucosa. It consists of experiencing a burning or dysesthetic sensation. BMS prevalence varies, with up to 15% among women. An effective treatment is still unattainable. Material and Methods: A total of 60 patients with BMS qualified for a randomised trial, divided in two groups: the clonazepam-treated and tongue protector group. Treatment was provided for 4 weeks in both groups. In the former, the oral dosage of clonazepam 0.5 mg; in the latter, a tongue protector was used. Clinical oral examination was performed, and the presence of taste disorder and pain intensity, on the visual analogues scale, were recorded. Psychological domains were explored with the Beck depression inventory (depression), Athens insomnia scale (insomnia), Eyesenck personality questionnaire-revised (personality traits), and WHO quality of life questionnaire (quality of life). Results: Complete recovery was observed in three patients after clonazepam and one patient after tongue guard treatment. A greater improvement in the VAS scores, from baseline to the control values, was demonstrated in the clonazepam group, and it was statistically significant. In women, the level of depression significantly correlated with all domains of quality of life. Conclusions: BMS is an ongoing multi-specialist challenge. The development of new pathophysiological concepts of BMS offers hope for more effective treatment. Considering the influence of BMS on the quality of life and mental disorders in most patients, further research on the possibilities of therapy seems to be very important.

Application Analysis of UPOINT System in Chinese Type III Prostatitis Patients: A Single Center Experience

Objective

UPOINT clinical phenotype system was used to estimate the type III prostatitis patients. Put in the erectile dysfunction (ED) domain and analysis the ED domain's effect towards the UPOINT system.

Methods

A total of 126 patients with type III prostatitis were prospectively collected and classified in each domain of the UPOINT system, including urinary, psychosocial, organ-specific, infection, neurological/systemic, and tenderness. Symptom severity was measured using the national institutes of health chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI) and the international prostate symptom score (IPSS). The erectile function was evaluated using the international index of erectile function (IIEF-5). Mental state was evaluated using the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90). The quality of life of patients was assessed by the Quality of Life scale (QoL).

Results

The percentage of patients positive for each domain was 60.32%, 43.65%, 53.17%, 11.11%, 42.06%, and 33.33% for the urinary, psychosocial, organ-specific, infection, neurological/systemic, and tenderness, respectively. There were significant correlations between the number of positive UPOINT domains and total NIH-CPSI (r = 0.630, P < 0.001) and IPSS (r = 0.429, P < 0.001). Symptom duration was associated with a number of positive domains (r = 0.194, P < 0.05). After adding an ED domain to establish a modified UPOINT system, the correlation between the number of positive domains and symptom severity was not improved (0.630 to 0.590, P < 0.001). The percentage of the patients who suffered psychosocial problems was 43.65%.

Conclusions

In our cohort, the number of positive domains was correlated with symptom severity. Inclusion of the ED phenotype in the UPOINT phenotype classification system did not significantly enhance the association of positive presentation with symptom severity. Our findings presented do not support the utility of using ED as a stand-alone item in the UPOINT domain. Psychological problems should be considered when treating type III prostatitis patients.

Relationship between subjective taste sensations and taste strip test in patients with taste disorders with and without burning mouth syndrome

Background/purpose

Both subjective and objective evaluations are required to assess taste function. Evaluation of taste function has important clinical significances in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) due to pain-taste interactions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between subjective and objective taste evaluations in patients with taste disorders based on the presence of BMS.

Materials and methods

Fifty–one patients with taste disturbances were included. The patients completed questionnaires on subjective taste sensations. The taste strip test was performed to examine objective taste function. The patients were divided into two groups: subjects with BMS (n = 24, 3 males and 21 females) and without BMS (n = 27, 8 males and 19 females).

Results

Significant differences were not observed in age, age distribution, and gender distribution between the groups. There were no significant differences in self-reported taste abilities based on the presence of BMS. However, the taste strip test showed higher correct answer rates for bitterness (P = 0.027) in the patients with BMS. In addition, a significant difference (P = 0.034) was observed in the distribution of objective types of taste disorders between the groups. A significant correlation between the subjective and objective evaluation results was observed only in patients with BMS.

Conclusion

In patients with taste disorders, patients with BMS had significant correlations between subjective and objective evaluations and different distributions in the types of taste disorders compared with those without BMS. The presence or absence of BMS should be evaluated in the diagnosis and management of taste disorders.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon patients with burning mouth syndrome

INTRODUCTION

The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes in the daily life of people, with a particularly relevant impact upon certain groups of individuals that have difficulties in facing stress. A study is made of the impact of the pandemic upon patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 40 patients with BMS diagnosed in the Unit of Oral Medicine (University of Murcia, Spain) were included. In all cases the study comprised a standardized clinical interview by the same professional and an exploration of the oral cavity. The first visit took place before the pandemic and consisted of the evaluation of anxiety (Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale [HADS]), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), pain intensity (visual analog scale [VAS]) and sleep quality (Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]), while the second visit took place one and a half months after the start of lockdown due to the pandemic in Spain.

RESULTS

The study sample consisted of 36 women (90%) and four men (10%) aged between 39 and s86 years. Statistically significant differences were recorded between the two visits in terms of anxiety (p < 0.001), sleep quality (p < 0.001) and pain intensity (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The appearance of the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered worsening of anxiety, sleep quality and pain intensity in patients with BMS.

Central sensitization in burning mouth syndrome: a practical approach using questionnaires

OBJECTIVES

Some experts have suggested that burning mouth syndrome (BMS) should be included in the family of central sensitivity syndromes, a group of similar medical disorders linked by the central sensitization (CS) mechanism. Our objective is to assess the presence of CS in patients with BMS by performing a clinical examination and administering questionnaires to measure the generalized extent of pain, the presence of associated symptoms, and the number of other concurrent chronic pain conditions.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a case-control study in 82 subjects (40 patients with BMS and 42 controls). Patients with BMS were diagnosed using The International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd edition, beta version (ICHD-IIIβ) criteria. The Widespread Pain Index (WPI) and Symptom Severity (SS) Score questionnaires were used to determine the degree of central sensitivity. The number of other concurrent chronic pain conditions was determined with the Neblett inventory.

RESULTS

Data indicative of CS show a statistically significant association with BMS. Both SS Score and Widespread Pain Index scores higher in patients with BMS. Additionally, patients with BMS reported a significantly higher number of other central sensitivity syndromes.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with BMS could present a CS component as well as other chronic pain conditions. The use of questionnaires may be useful to determine the degree of central sensitivity in patients with BMS.

Neuropathic and Psychogenic Components of Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Systematic Review

The pathophysiology of primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS) has been extensively debated but is poorly understood despite a large number of hypotheses attempting to explain its etiopathogenic mechanisms. The aim of the present work was to systematically review papers that could provide arguments in favour of the neuropathic and psychogenic components of primary BMS for a better understanding of the disease. This systematic review (SR) was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021224160). The search was limited to articles in English or French from 1990 to 01 December 2020. A total of 113 articles were considered for data extraction. We divided them into four subgroups: pharmacological and nonpharmacological management studies (n = 23); neurophysiological studies (n = 35); biohistopathological studies (n = 25); and questionnaire-based studies (n = 30). Several of these studies have shown neuropathic involvement at various levels of the neuraxis in BMS with the contribution of quantitative sensory testing (QST), functional brain imaging, and biohistopathological or pharmacologic studies. On the other hand, the role of psychological factors in BMS has also been the focus of several studies and has shown a link with psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and/or depression symptoms. Depending on the patient, the neuropathic and psychogenic components may exist simultaneously, with a preponderance of one or the other, or exist individually. These two components cannot be dissociated to define BMS. Consequently, BMS may be considered nociplastic pain.

Prediction of treatment outcome in burning mouth syndrome patients using machine learning based on clinical data

The purpose of this study is to apply a machine learning approach to predict whether patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) respond to the initial approach and clonazepam therapy based on clinical data. Among the patients with the primary type of BMS who visited the clinic from 2006 to 2015, those treated with the initial approach of detailed explanation regarding home care instruction and use of oral topical lubricants, or who were prescribed clonazepam for a minimum of 1 month were included in this study. The clinical data and treatment outcomes were collected from medical records. Extreme Gradient-Boosted Decision Trees was used for machine learning algorithms to construct prediction models. Accuracy of the prediction models was evaluated and feature importance calculated. The accuracy of the prediction models for the initial approach and clonazepam therapy was 67.6% and 67.4%, respectively. Aggravating factors and psychological distress were important features in the prediction model for the initial approach, and intensity of symptoms before administration was the important feature in the prediction model for clonazepam therapy. In conclusion, the analysis of treatment outcomes in patients with BMS using a machine learning approach showed meaningful results of clinical applicability.

Is a neuropathic mechanism involved in the perception of oral dryness?

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to review the existing phenomena which could affect subjective oral dryness and to consider the possibility that neural processing is involved in the perception of oral dryness.

DESIGN

A comprehensive review of scientific literatures relevant to contributing factors of dry mouth symptoms including salivary parameters related with oral dryness and role of neural mechanisms in perception of dry mouth symptoms was conducted.

RESULTS

Several previous reports suggested the possibility of neural processing mechanisms in perception of oral dryness. The decreased pain threshold in the oral cavity of rats with dry tongue and complaints of subjective oral dryness in patients with burning mouth syndrome, of which lacked an actual decrease in salivary output and mucosal wetness, could support this idea. Sensory changes in the oral mucosa and oral dryness may have a bi-directional influence that patients with oral dryness would be more subject to neuropathic pain in the oral mucosa, and those with neuropathic pain in the oral cavity could have complaints associated with higher levels of dry mouth symptoms.

CONCLUSION

A bi-directional influence between sensory change in the oral mucosa and subjective oral dryness could be assumed. We suggest the administration of neuropathic pain medications for controlling subjective oral dryness in patients without objective sign of hyposalivation.

Salivary characteristics may be associated with burning mouth syndrome?

Background

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) it is characterized by burning and uncomfortable sensations with no clinical alterations or laboratory findings. The evaluation of the salivary characteristics of people with BMS can help the understanding of the pathogenesis of this condition. This case-control study aimed to trace the salivary profile of women with burning mouth syndrome (BMS).

Material and Methods

40 women with BMS and 40 control women were recruited. Unstimulated salivary flow rate (uSFR), pH, salivary cortisol levels, salivary viscosity, and oral health impact profile (OHIP-14 questioner) were determined. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

For uSFR, mean values obtained for BMS and for control group respectively were 0.35 and 0.61 mL/min; for pH, 7.23 and 7.34; for cortisol levels, 0.36 and 0.15 μg/dL; for viscosity values, 31.1 and 45.01 mPas and for OHIP-14 scores, 21.7 and 5.7. To uSFR, cortisol levels, viscosity values and OHIP-14 scores, differences were statistically significant. Salivary cortisol levels and OHIP-14 scores were correlated positively (rho = 0.624; p< 0.05).

Conclusions

BMS women have lower uSFR and salivary viscosity and higher salivary cortisol levels that were associated with worse quality of life, compared with the control group.

Key words:Xerostomia, Burning mouth syndrome, Viscosity.

Catastrophising, pain self-efficacy and acceptance in patients with Burning Mouth Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Little is known about pain catastrophising, pain self-efficacy and chronic pain acceptance in burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and their effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders.

OBJECTIVES

To describe pain catastrophising, pain self-efficacy and pain acceptance in BMS patients and explore associations with affective function and HRQoL.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 36 BMS patients (31 female) referred to an Orofacial Pain Clinic completed the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire-8 in addition to standardised self-reported questionnaires measuring mood and oral and generic HRQoL.

RESULTS

Pain catastrophising levels were markedly higher than (non-clinical) population norms, with 32.0% of patients reporting clinically relevant levels. Pain self-efficacy and chronic pain acceptance varied widely; 24.0% evidenced low confidence to cope with pain, and 53.8% reported low activity engagement and/or low pain willingness. Catastrophising showed moderate-to-strong associations with measures of anxiety (r = 0.63), depression (r = 0.80), and oral (r = 0.61) and generic HRQoL (rho=-0.84). Self-efficacy and acceptance were also closely related to levels of depression (r/rho=-0.83 to -0.73) and generic HRQoL (r/rho = 0.74 to 0.75). These associations were stronger than those between pain severity and affective function/HRQoL and persisted after controlling for pain severity.

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial proportion of BMS patients evidence maladaptive beliefs about personal effectiveness in managing pain, which is closely related to affective disorders and impaired HRQoL. As such, treatment approaches targeting catastrophising, pain self-efficacy and acceptance may prove beneficial in improving mood and quality of life in BMS patients.

Personality Traits in Burning Mouth Syndrome Patients With and Without a History of Depression

Objectives: So far, the strong link between neuroticism, chronic pain, and depression has been well-documented in literatures. Some suggested that they might share etiological factors, thus resulting in overlapping constructs. However, such effect has never been tested in burning mouth syndrome (BMS) patients, a complex phenomenon influenced by both neuropathic and psychopathological factors. We aim to clarify how personality affects individual's pain and pain-related experiences. Methods: Two hundred forty-eight patients with BMS provided demographic information and psychiatric history; completed Ten-Item Personality Inventory, a Visual Analog Scale of pain, and McGill Pain Questionnaire; and provided adequate parameters of depressive state, catastrophizing thinking, and central sensitization. Results: BMS patients with depression history suffered more severe clinical symptoms and scored higher in neuroticism and less in openness and extraversion than did those without psychiatric diagnoses. After age, sex, and duration of pain were controlled, neuroticism in BMS patients with depression correlates with affective dimension of pain. Instead, if psychiatric history is absent, neuroticism correlates with sensory dimension and pain intensity. In both groups, higher neuroticism, unlike other personality facets, contributed to a more severe clinical condition. Conclusion: Of the five traits, neuroticism appears to be the most crucial dimension associated with the pain symptoms and patient's conditions. This study implies that management of pain must extend beyond solely providing pain-relieving medication and must require a holistic and multidisciplinary approach.

Treatment outcomes and related clinical characteristics in patients with burning mouth syndrome

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the treatment outcomes of medication therapies in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and to identify the clinical characteristics that may affect the efficacy of prescribed medications.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study of 769 patients with oral burning sensations. Of these patients, 420 patients diagnosed as the primary BMS received an "Initial Approach" that involved a detailed explanation about its etiopathophysiology, self-care instruction, and use of an oral lubricant. Neuropathic medications were prescribed for 277 patients who did not respond to the initial approach. Clinical characteristics, prescribed medications, and changes in intensity of oral symptoms were reviewed.

RESULTS

Clonazepam was administered as the first-line medication. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), gabapentin, and nortriptyline were commonly administered in combination with clonazepam. More than two-thirds of the patients reported a marked improvement in oral symptoms after treatments with combination of neuropathic medications and ALA. The efficacies of the initial approach and clonazepam had significant positive associations with the initial intensity of oral symptoms and significant negative associations with depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Clonazepam therapy in combination with appropriate medications was effective for managing patients with BMS. The initial intensity of oral symptoms and psychological status were significantly associated with treatment outcomes.

Oral health-related quality of life and associated factors in patients with burning mouth syndrome

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and to identify clinical factors associated with OHRQoL.

METHODS

Fifty-seven patients with BMS (56.4 ± 10.7 years) participated in the study. Patients underwent oral examination, laboratory tests, psychological evaluation, measurement of salivary flow rates and evaluation of clinical characteristics using a BMS questionnaire. The OHRQoL of patients was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14).

RESULTS

The OHIP-14 score for patients with BMS was 38.6 ± 12.8. Patients had higher scores for the psychological discomfort and physical pain dimensions of the OHIP-14. The intensity of taste disturbance or xerostomia symptoms (β = 0.464, P < .001), worry about symptoms (β = 0.307, P = .020), and results of psychological evaluation (β = 0.311, P = .026) were significantly associated with OHIP-14 score. Multiple linear regression showed that the intensity of taste disturbance or xerostomia symptoms was significantly associated with decreased OHRQoL (β = 0.637, P = .026).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that severity of taste disturbance or xerostomia is an important factor that influences OHRQoL in patients with BMS.

Analgesic effect of gum chewing in patients with burning mouth syndrome

The cause of burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is unknown. Although no effective treatment has been established, BMS patients frequently chew gum to alleviate pain. To identify the cause and new treatments for BMS, this study investigated the psychophysical and pharmacological properties of gum chewing to better understand its pain-relieving effects. In this prospective, blinded study, plasma catecholamine and serotonin levels and Profile of Mood States (POMS) scores were assessed after gum chewing or simulated chewing in 40 women (20 BMS patients and 20 age-matched controls). Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain decreased significantly in BMS patients after gum chewing and simulated chewing. Moreover, resting VAS scores of BMS patients were significantly positively correlated with plasma adrenaline level. Furthermore, gum chewing was significantly correlated with lower plasma adrenaline level, VAS score, and tension-anxiety score. These results suggest that adrenaline is important in the pathogenesis of BMS pain and that the analgesic effect of gum chewing is induced through the potential effects of anxiety reduction, although this effect might not be specific to BMS. In addition, the analgesic effect of gum chewing was not induced solely by chewing motion.

Relevance of sleep, pain cognition, and psychological distress with regard to pain in patients with burning mouth syndrome

Objective: To clarify the influence of sleep, psychological distress, and pain catastrophizing on the pain experience in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS). Methods: Ninety-three patients with BMS were investigated by reviewing medical records and questionnaires using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Symptom Checklist-90 revised (SCL-90R), and pain catastrophizing scale (PCS). Results: Of the 65 patients included in the study, 81.5% and 66% showed high PSQI and PCS scores, respectively. The PSQI, PCS, and SCL-90R scores correlated positively with pain interference. The result of multiple regression analysis demonstrated that helplessness and rumination of PCS significantly add to the prediction of pain interference. Discussion: Pain catastrophizing rather than psychological distress and sleep quality seems to be associated with pain experience in patients with BMS. Therefore, targeting pain catastrophizing, specifically rumination and helplessness, might lead to reduction of pain-related disability in BMS patients.

Annual review of selected scientific literature: A report of the Committee on Scientific Investigation of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry

This comprehensive review of the 2018 dental literature is provided to inform busy dentists about progress in the profession. Developed by the Committee on Scientific Investigation of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry, each author brings discipline-specific expertise to one of the 8 sections of the report including (1) prosthodontics; (2) periodontics, alveolar bone, and peri-implant tissues; (3) implant dentistry; (4) dental materials and therapeutics; (5) occlusion and temporomandibular disorders; (6) sleep-related breathing disorders; (7) oral medicine and oral and maxillofacial surgery; and (8) dental caries and cariology. The report targets important information that will likely influence day-to-day treatment decisions. Each review is not intended to stand alone but to update interested readers so that they may visit source materials if greater detail is desired. As the profession continues its march toward evidence-based clinical decision-making, an already voluminous library of potentially valuable dental literature continues to grow. It is the intention of this review and its authors to provide assistance in navigating the extensive dental literature published in 2018. It is our hope that readers find this work useful in the clinical management of patients moving forward.

Psycho-stomatodynia

Introduction:Burning mouth syndrome is an enigmatic condition whose etiopathogenic origin remains largely unknown and whose treatment remains unsatisfactory. It is often considered to be of “psychosomatic” origin, and this etiology is frequently reported in the French medical literature.Corpus:This narrative review examines the arguments supporting this point of view, in its historical, clinical, and therapeutic aspects, in order to shed light on the patientʼs point of view.Conclusion:The etiopathogenic uncertainty does not let us give the patient an erroneous conception of the affliction.

[The use of photoneuromodulation in the complex treatment of patients with burning mouth syndrome]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of photoneuromodulation in the complex treatment of patients with the burning mouth syndrome (BMS). Supervised were 120 patients with BMS at the age of 37-79 years (mean age 47.5±5.35 years), which were divided into two groups - the main group and the comparison group (n=60). All patients with BMS underwent complex treatment that included professional oral hygiene, training in rational oral hygiene and tongue, oral sanitation, rational prosthetics, consultation, treatment and follow-up with a neurologist, general treatment with the appointment of anti-anxiety drugs or antidepressants , vitamins of B group and vascular preparations. In the main group, after the drug treatment, a photoneuromodulation was performed - the effect of transcranial broadband red light, in the cervical collar zone and in the projection of the pain points of the tongue, the course of treatment was 20 days. In the comparison group, only medication was prescribed. The control group consisted of 30 relatively healthy persons at the age of 36±4.7 years without concomitant somatic diseases. Comparison of the results of the analysis of the level of pain, anxiety and depression, free radical oxidation and the activity of the serum antioxidant system after treatment in the main group and the comparison group indicates that after the complex treatment with the inclusion of the course of photoneuromodulation, the best result was obtained for reducing the level of pain, anxiety and depression, intensity of oxidative processes and increase of activity of the general antioxidant system of protection of blood serum in patients with the burning mouth syndrome.