[Xerostomia. Improved care using a spray with herbal polysaccharides]

In a prospective clinical study the topical use of a polysaccharide-containing spray for the treatment of xerostomia after radiotherapy in the head and neck area was tested.

A total of 83 patients (evaluable return: n=55) with xerostomia after radiotherapy in the head and neck area received a pump spray with 50 ml Saliva natura (medac, Wedel, Germany) to test for 1 week. The patients were asked to fill in a questionnaire about their xerostomia with and without use of the spray. Individual items included: xerostomia in the state of rest, difficulties speaking, eating and sleeping, frequency of the use of treatment against xerostomia, changes in taste, and saliva viscosity. Additionally, they assessed the spray in general and for taste.

Patients reported an improvement in all areas included in the questionnaire. The greatest effect of the spray was seen in sleeping difficulties, which improved by almost a whole point from 3.65 to 2.67, as well as in the frequency of use of xerostomia treatment (averagely 15x/day without and 10x/day with the spray). On average the spray was graded as "satisfactory" (3.09), while its taste was graded as "good" (2.17).

The tested spray may help improve the situation of patients with xerostomia following radiotherapy in the head and neck area. These patients should be given the opportunity to test a spray of this kind.