Association between Diet and Xerostomia: Is Xerostomia a Barrier to a Healthy Eating Pattern?

Xerostomia is a subjective feeling of dry mouth and is commonly observed in patients with autoimmune diseases. Our study examines the association between xerostomia and diet.

The cross-sectional study includes 1405 adults from 15 Lithuanian geographical areas (52% response rate). A self-reported questionnaire inquired about xerostomia, sex, age, education, residence, and consumption of selected 23 diet items. For the multivariable analysis, 23 diet items were categorized into eight major diet groups. The data were analyzed by bivariate and multivariable analyses.

When comparing participants with and without xerostomia, there were significant differences in consumption frequencies concerning cold-pressed oil (p = 0.013), bread (p = 0.029), processed meat products (p = 0.016), fat and lean fish (p = 0.009), and probiotic supplements (p = 0.002). In the multivariable binary logistic regression model, when controlled for other determinants, the higher consumption of carbohydrates (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.23-0.65), proteins (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.32-0.99), and oils (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.34-1.00) was associated with a lower likelihood of xerostomia.

The association between xerostomia and the consumption of the six diet items-cold-pressed oils, lean and fat fish, bread, processed meat, and probiotic supplements- and the three major diet groups-carbohydrates, proteins, and oils-was observed. Longitudinal studies are needed to validate the observed associations.