Salivary secretion and drug treatment in four 70-year-old Swedish cohorts during a period of 30 years

Multiple Chronic Diseases Associated With Tooth Loss Among the US Adult Population

Background

Half of US adults aged 20–64 years have lost at least one permanent tooth; one in six adults aged 65 and over in the USA is edentulous. Tooth loss and edentulism interfere with nutritional intake and quality of life. Although selected chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes) have been identified as possible risk factors for tooth loss, data on multiple chronic diseases and on having two or more concurrent chronic diseases (multimorbidity) in relation to tooth loss are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the association between multiple chronic diseases, multimorbidity, and tooth loss in US adults.

Methods

We performed a secondary data analysis using the US 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a national cross-sectional telephone survey studying health conditions and health behaviors among US adults (≥18 years) who are non-institutionalized residents. Variables were derived from the BRFSS Standard Core Questionnaire. Descriptive analysis including means, standard deviations (SDs), and percentages was calculated. Sample weights were applied. The stepwise multinomial logistic regression method was used to examine the relationship between several chronic diseases and tooth loss. Separate multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between multimorbidity and tooth loss among all adults aged more than 18 years, adults aged 18–64 years, and adults aged more than 65 years, respectively.

Results

Among the samples (n = 471,107, mean age 55 years, 60% female), 55% reported losing no tooth loss, 30% reported losing one to five teeth, 10% reported losing six or more but not all teeth, and 5% reported losing all teeth. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, smoking, BMI, and dental care, chronic diseases that were associated with edentulism were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [adjusted risk ratio (adj. RR) 2.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.08–2.29]; diabetes (adj. RR 1.49, 95% CI 1.44–1.56); arthritis (adj. RR 1.49, 95% CI 1.44–1.54); cardiovascular disease (adj. RR 1.38, 95% CI 1.30–1.45); stroke (adj. RR 1.31, 95% CI 1.24–1.40); kidney disease (adj. RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.08–1.25); cancer (adj. RR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01–1.11); and asthma (adj. RR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02–1.12). For those who reported losing six or more teeth, the association remained significant for all the chronic diseases mentioned, albeit the magnitude of association appeared to be comparative or smaller. In addition, adults with multimorbidity were more likely to have tooth loss (loss of one to five teeth: adj. RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.14–1.19; loss of six or more teeth: adj. RR 1.78, 95% CI 1.73–1.82; edentulous: adj. RR 2.03, 95% CI 1.96–2.10).

Conclusions

Multiple chronic diseases were associated with edentulism and tooth loss. People with multimorbidity are more likely to be edentulous than those with one or no chronic disease. The findings from this study will help to identify populations at increased risk for oral problems and nutritional deficits, thus the assessment of oral health should be evaluated further as an important component of chronic illness care.

Prediction of xerostomia in a 75-year-old population: A 25-year longitudinal study

OBJECTIVES

To follow the same individuals from age 50 up to 75 years to report on prevalence, persistence, progression, remission, incidence and predictors for xerostomia.

METHODS

A questionnaire was distributed to all 50-years-olds (1992) in two Swedish counties (N=8888) and repeated at the age of 65 (2007) and 75 years (2017). 3060 individuals responded on all three occasions (response rate 42.5%). Xerostomia was assessed with two questions. Additional questions addressed inter alia general/oral health and oral function.

RESULTS

Reported prevalence of daytime xerostomia were 23.3% and 14.7%, and 39.5% and 27.5% in women and men, age 50 and 75, respectively. Night-time prevalence was higher. At age 50, 27.4% women and 24.0% men reported having dry mouth, and at age 75, 61.0% and 53.8%, respectively. At all time points, women reported significantly more xerostomia than men. Progression (deterioration) was common, and persistence (continuing presence) was high, while 25-year incidence for daytime xerostomia was 16.2% and 12.8%, and 33.6% and 29.8% at night-time, for women and men, respectively. Based on reports at age 50, regression analyses showed that prediction for developing xerostomia during the observation period, and reporting xerostomia at age 75 years, were female gender, impaired general health, chewing, jaw opening and intraoral problems, dissatisfaction with dental appearance, low education and having white/plastic filling.

CONCLUSIONS

Xerostomia is common in older people, especially at night and in women. It can be predicted by diverse factors reported earlier in life.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Clinicians need to be made aware of that elderly often suffers from dry mouth so that they can recommend effective measures to eliminate or ease the patients accompanying symptoms and also exclude or lessen possible negative impact on oral health related to xerostomia.

The Challenge of Medication-Induced Dry Mouth in Residential Aged Care

With a reported prevalence between 20% and 30%, dry mouth is more common among older people than any other age group. The major risk factor for dry mouth is polypharmacy. Older people take more medications than any other age group, not only for symptomatic relief of various age-associated chronic diseases, but also to reduce the likelihood of the complications that may arise from those conditions. Most aged care residents take even more medications than older people who are living in their own homes. The greater the number of medications taken, the greater the associated anticholinergic burden, and the more likely it is that the individual will suffer from dry mouth. The condition not only affects the dentition and ability to wear dentures, but also the sufferers’ quality of life. Treating dry mouth is a considerable challenge for clinicians. As medication use is by far the most important risk factor, there is a need for pharmacists, doctors and dentists to work together to prevent this from occurring. Medication review and deprescribing is a key strategy, but there have not yet been any randomised control trials of its efficacy in reducing the occurrence of dry mouth.

Polypharmacy and saliva volumes in the northeast of Germany - The Study of Health in Pomerania

OBJECTIVES

Associations between saliva volumes or salivary flow rates and potentially xerogenic medication are rarely evaluated in cohorts with a wide age range. This cross-sectional cohort study investigated possible relationships between the regular consumption of potentially xerogenic medication and stimulated saliva volumes.

METHODS

Data from the German Studies of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-2 and SHIP-Trend-0) were pooled. Potentially xerogenic medications were identified using the Workshop on Oral Medicine VI criteria. Stimulated saliva was sampled using Salivette®, and saliva volumes expressed as μl/min were determined. Applying linear mixed models with adjustment for time point of saliva collection, associations of (a) age and sex with regularly consumed medication, (b) age and sex with saliva volumes, and (c) the number of regularly consumed xerogenic medications with saliva volumes were evaluated.

RESULTS

Six thousand seven hundred and fifty-three participants aged 20-83 years (mean 53.4 ± 14.9) were included. The average number of medications did not differ markedly between females (2.21 ± 2.46) and males (2.24 ± 2.83). Males took more potentially xerogenic medication (1.0 ± 1.3) than did females (0.9 ± 1.3). Also, males took more potentially xerogenic cardiovascular medications than did females (0.9 ± 1.2 versus 0.7 ± 1.1), while females were prescribed a higher number of potentially xerogenic medications affecting the nervous system (0.2 ± 0.5 versus 0.1 ± 0.4). The average stimulated saliva volume was 967.0 ± 433.3 µL/min. Regularly consumed and potentially xerogenic medications were associated with lower saliva volumes. Older age correlated not only with a higher number of total medications and a higher number of xerogenic medications affecting either the cardiovascular (in males) or the nervous system (in females), but also with lower saliva volumes.

CONCLUSIONS

Ageing was associated with polypharmacy, especially with the intake of potentially xerogenic medication, and lower average saliva volumes. With regard to complications of dry mouth, anamnesis of medication consumption is of high importance.

Relationship between polypharmacy, xerostomia, gustatory sensitivity, and swallowing complaints in the elderly: A multidisciplinary approach

Oral dysfunctions are common in the elderly but the literature lacks a multidisciplinary approach on the relationship between polypharmacy, saliva flow, xerostomia, taste, and swallowing complaints. This cross-sectional study included 204 non-institutionalized elderly (>60 years; 123 women/81 men), free of severe disabilities and non-alcohol/tobacco consumers, from whom specific pharmacological therapies were evaluated, as well xerostomia (Xerostomia Inventory-XI) and swallowing complaints (EAT-10 questionnaire), salivary flow rate and gustatory sensitivity. Statistical analysis included Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Two-way ANCOVA, and linear multiple regression. Polypharmacy (≥5 drugs daily), hyposalivation, and severe taste dysfunction were found in 18, 46, and 10% of the participants, respectively. Polypharmacy was related with xerostomia (p = .041) and swallowing complaints (p < .001; power = 94%), but not with taste dysfunction. Dry mouth complaint and higher risk of swallowing disorders were found in 50 and 12% of the elderly, respectively, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors users (n = 36) showed higher EAT-10 scores (p = .038). Regression models showed that stimulated salivary flow rate was dependent on gender and diuretic use, while xerostomia scores were dependent on the number of medications and unstimulated saliva flow (p < .001). In conclusion, the results draw attention to the high frequency of oral and maxillofacial dysfunctions found in non-institutionalized elderly, especially polypharmacy, xerostomia and swallowing complaints, and the side effects of drugs that can disturb the oral functions, the acceptance of food, and the adherence to oral therapies.

Prevalence of hyposalivation in older people: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The proportion of elders is increasing worldwide, and hyposalivation has been associated with the ageing process. Therefore, there has been growing interest in the frequency of hyposalivation in older people since it can cause transient or permanent problems that could affect oral health.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of hyposalivation in older people (aged ≥ 60 years).

METHODS

The review was registered at Prospero - International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews under number CRD42018106322. The search was performed in six electronic databases (Embase, LILACS, Medline, PubMed, Web of Science and Abstracts in Social Gerodontology) and grey literature (Google Scholar) for articles published up to February 2019. The methodology of selected studies was evaluated using the Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review (MAStARI) risk of bias checklist. Meta-analyses were performed using Medcalc and Stata 15.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies totalising 3,885 individuals (≥60 years) were included in this systematic review. The meta-analysis showed an overall hyposalivation prevalence of 33.37% (95% confidence interval [CI] 23.90 - 43.57, P < .0001, n = 3,447). The prevalence of hyposalivation for unstimulated and stimulated methods was 33.39% (95% CI 21.08 - 46.96, P < .0001, n = 2,425 individuals) and 30.47% (95% CI 22.53-39.04, P < .0001, n = 1,495 individuals), respectively. Most of the studies were evaluated as low risk of bias. Some study limitations were related to the observational studies potential risk of bias, and different criteria to measure saliva flow rate.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that the overall prevalence of hyposalivation in older people is 33.37%. When considering stimulated methods, the prevalence of hyposalivation was slightly lower (30.47%).

Oral mucositis induced by risperidone: rare side effect of a frequently prescribed medication

Risperidone is a safe second-generation antipsychotic which is rarely associated with the emergence of a few adverse effects, such as oral lesions and stomatitis. We report the case of a 77-year-old woman affected by a neurocognitive disorder with psychotic features and treated with risperidone 2 mg/day. After 1 week, she showed a burning mouth syndrome with oral lesions and risperidone was discontinued. Antipsychotic-induced oral ulcerations may be caused by the reduction of saliva protection with minor adverse effects related to oral movement disorders or impairment of the bacterial flora of saliva.

A Tutorial on Saliva's Role in Swallowing With a Focus on Sjögren's Syndrome

Purpose Saliva is integral to swallowing and necessary for oral health. Understanding saliva's origin and properties is important for swallowing assessment and management. Diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome (SS) can affect saliva negatively, often contributing to dysphagia. Our objectives are to (a) highlight saliva's fundamental role in swallowing, (b) provide a bibliometric overview of literature pertaining to SS pathophysiology and effects on saliva, (c) explore implications of salivary changes on swallowing and quality of life in SS and other populations, and (d) provide suggestions for systematic saliva assessment in practice. Method This tutorial reviews saliva production, composition, and involvement in swallowing within health and disease. Using rapid review methodology, we outline the effect of SS on saliva and describe SS etiology, diagnosis, and treatment. We discuss formal saliva assessments and a multidisciplinary approach. Results Saliva plays a vital role in swallowing, particularly lubrication, bolus formation, and oral health. SS affects the salivary glands altering salivary flow rate and composition. We identified 55 studies (N) measuring salivary changes, grouping them according to four strata demarcated by SS classification criteria updates. For some, xerostomia, dysphagia, and reduced life quality result. Formal saliva assessments include the Clinical Oral Dryness Score, Xerostomia Inventory, and Secretion Rating Scale. Multidisciplinary care is optimal for patients with salivary changes. Conclusion Understanding salivary changes in disease may enhance understanding of swallowing and inform dysphagia practice. Expanding swallowing assessments with formal saliva evaluations, and patient perspectives thereof, may aid in developing bespoke treatments, ultimately improving outcomes and quality of life. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12456449.

Nutrient intakes and medication use in elderly individuals with and without dry mouths

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The nutrition of the elderly depends on various factors. Oral health, especially oral dryness, can be an important risk factor. In this study, we attempted to determine whether dry mouth is associated with compromised nutrient intakes.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

A total of 120 participants aged 65–86 yrs (mean age: 69 ± 1 y) were included in this study. Demographic and health-related characteristics, living status, meals, number of medications, medical conditions, chewing ability, and quality of life, the Oral Health Impact Profile (the OHIP-14) were assessed. We performed one day 24-hr recall assessment for nutrient analyses. The differences of the means between the dry-mouth and non-dry-mouth groups were analyzed. Elderly subjects with xerostomia-induced dry mouth were classified as those who reported at least one dryness symptom on a questionnaire.

RESULTS

A significant difference in population distribution was observed among the elderly who took medications for hypertension, diabetes and osteoporosis and was significantly higher in the dry-mouth group (70.2%) than in the non-dry-mouth group (44.4%) (P = 0.005). Compared with the non-dry-mouth group (50.8%), a significantly higher proportion (73.7%) of participants in the dry-mouth group took multiple medicines (≥ 4 medications) (P = 0.019). The intakes of vegetable fat, vitamin E, folate and water in the dry-mouth group were lower than in the non-dry-mouth group. The intakes of fluoride and ω-3 fatty acids were significantly lower in the dry-mouth group than in the non-dry-mouth group.

CONCLUSION

The participants in the dry-mouth group exhibited low nutrient and water intakes. It is recommended that the elderly with dry mouth should drink sufficient water and receive targeted and specific nutritional guidance to prevent malnutrition.

Self-reported dry mouth in 50- to 80-year-old Swedes: Longitudinal and cross-sectional population studies

Xerostomia is a common condition among elderly. The objectives were to examine prevalence, persistence, progression, yearly incidence of xerostomia, associated background factors and its influence on oral impacts on daily performances (OIDP) in 50- to 80-year-old people. In 1992, a questionnaire was sent to all 50-year-old (n = 8888) and in 2007 to all 75-year-old persons (n = 5195) living in two Swedish counties. In 2012, the same questionnaire was sent to both age cohorts, now 70- and 80-year-old. Response rate was for the 50-, 70- 75- and 80-year-old groups 71.4%, 72.2%, 71.9% and 66.4%, respectively. In the 50- to 70-year-old sample, 40.3% of the participants answered all five examinations and in the 75-80 group 49.5% (intact samples). In all age groups, xerostomia was significantly more prevalent in women than in men. At age 80, "often mouth dryness at night" was reported by 24.3% and 16.2% of women and men, respectively. Prevalence increased with age and was more frequent at night-time. Persistence of xerostomia was reported by 61.4%-77.5%, progression by 11.5%-33.0% and remission by 5.7%-11.3%. Average yearly incidence was 0.99%-3.28%. Xerostomia was more prevalent in those who reported a negative impact on OIDP. Highest odd ratios for xerostomia were burning mouth (OR 12.0), not feeling healthy (OR 5.1) and medicine usage (OR 3.9). Xerostomia is common in older age, persistence is high and progression common. The comorbidity between xerostomia, oral health problems and impaired general health needs to be taken into consideration when providing dental care to elderly patients.

Root canal treatment in elderly patients: A review and clinical considerations

Life expectancy has increased as a result of advancements in health care services; thus, maintaining healthy dentition is an important factor in overall health. Furthermore, the growing desire of elderly patients to maintain their teeth has led to an increased need for the performance of complex dental treatment in elderly patients. Root canal therapy is an essential phase of such treatments. Elderly patients may exhibit one or more systemic conditions that require special care, in addition to other changes that occur within the dentition and oral mucosa as a result of aging. These make root canal treatment in elderly patients a great challenge. The aim of this review was to characterize pathologic and physiologic changes in elderly patients that can interfere with root canal treatment procedures, as well as attitudes of elderly patients toward such treatment, guidelines and clinical considerations for management of root canal treatment in elderly patients.

World Workshop on Oral Medicine VI: a systematic review of medication-induced salivary gland dysfunction

The aim of this paper was to perform a systematic review of the pathogenesis of medication-induced salivary gland dysfunction (MISGD). Review of the identified papers was based on the standards regarding the methodology for systematic reviews set forth by the World Workshop on Oral Medicine IV and the PRISMA statement. Eligible papers were assessed for both the degree and strength of relevance to the pathogenesis of MISGD as well as on the appropriateness of the study design and sample size. A total of 99 papers were retained for the final analysis. MISGD in human studies was generally reported as xerostomia (the sensation of oral dryness) without measurements of salivary secretion rate. Medications may act on the central nervous system (CNS) and/or at the neuroglandular junction on muscarinic, α-and β-adrenergic receptors and certain peptidergic receptors. The types of medications that were most commonly implicated for inducing salivary gland dysfunction were those acting on the nervous, cardiovascular, genitourinary, musculoskeletal, respiratory, and alimentary systems. Although many medications may affect the salivary flow rate and composition, most of the studies considered only xerostomia. Thus, further human studies are necessary to improve our understanding of the association between MISGD and the underlying pathophysiology.