Xerostomia and hyposalivation in relation to drug taking in Hungary

Objective: of this study was to assess unstimulated whole saliva flow rate (UWS) and the prevalence of xerostomia related to long-term medication in Hungary.

Methods: 600patients (age:18-92 years; 265male,335female, selected according to the current official Hungarian age and residence distribution scheme) have been involved into the investigation. A measurement of UWS was carried out and a questionnaire was designed to determine the subjective presence or absence of oral dryness. Obtained data were statistically analyzed by the χ2 and the Student's t-test at a significance level of p<0.05. Results: Data revealed,that 39% of the men and 57% of the women took continually one or more drugs: antihypertensive drugs: anti-adrenergic drugs(beta-blockers, central alpha-2- and peripheral alpha-1 antagonists), angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE)-inhibitors, calcium-channel(Ca)- blockers), diuretics, antidepressants (selective serotonin and/or noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)), sedatives,anxiolytics (benzodiazepines), drugs in the treatment of gastric ulcer and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (histamin-2-receptor(H2)-antagonists, proton-pump inhibitors), contraceptives. Among the medicated, 40% of the men and 48% of the women felt xerostomia compared to 18%(p<0.05) and 28%(p<0.05)in the non-medicated groups, respectively. UWS was significantly influenced by medication in women, but not in men (UWS non-medicated women:0,50±0,33ml/min, medicated women:0,37±0,26ml/min, p<0.001; UWS non-medicated men:0.60±0.35ml/min, medicated men:0.60±0.47ml/min). Hyposalivation(UWS£0.1ml/min) could be detected in a significantly higher ratio in medicated women (17% vs. 3% respectively, p<0.001), but not in men (3% vs. 0%, respectively) compared to the non-medicated gender-groups. Xerostomia ratios in medicated patients were as follows, in men: diuretics:75%(p<0.001), Ca-channel-blockers:60%(p<0.01), anti-allergic drugs:50%(p<0.01), anti-adrenergic:35%, ACE-inhibitors:30%; in women:diuretics:60%(p<0.05), SSRI-s and benzodiazepines:60%(p<0.001), H2-antagonists/proton-pump inhibitors:61%, beta-blockers:52%(p<0.01), ACE-inhibitors:50%(p<0.05), Ca-channel-blockers(45%), compared to non-medicated men(18%) and women(29%). Hyposalivation was caused in the highest ratio by the Ca-channel-blockers in both genders:20%(p<0.001),compared to the non-medicated men and women (0%, 3%, respectively).

Conclusion: This study revealed that a higher ratio of women needed medication, whereas the xerogenic drug-effects showed to be more intensive in them