Clinical factors associated with salivary flow rate in adults with acromegaly

To investigate the stimulated salivary flow (SSF) and unstimulated salivary flow (USF) in adults with acromegaly and to identify possible clinical factors associated with salivary flow.

A case-control study was conducted with a group composed of adults diagnosed with acromegaly (n = 29, mean age = 50.2 years) and a control group (n = 29, mean age = 54.3 years). Variables for socio-demographic characterization, lifestyle habits, and diabetes diagnosis, body mass index (BMI), cervical circumference (CC) and abdominal circumference (AC) were collected. USF and SSF variables were analyzed as outcomes. Unpaired t-test, Pearson's correlation, and multivariate regression models were used for statistical analysis.

Both groups were 44.8% male and 55.2% female. Diabetes was present in 55.2% of the acromegaly group and in 51.7% of the controls (P = .792). The acromegaly group had a higher USF than the control group (0.50 mL/min versus 0.22 mL/min). SSF showed a direct correlation with CC (r = 0.470, P = .010). Acromegaly was associated with higher USF (standardized coefficient = 0.780, P = .039), and age was inversely related to USF (standardized coefficient = -0.333, P = .013).

The findings suggest that adults with acromegaly have an increased USF and that being older is associated with a decrease in USF.