Prevalence of Associated Extraoral Symptoms and Comorbidities in Burning Mouth Syndrome Patients: A Systematic Review
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 11, 2026

Author Spotlight: Oral Candida Diagnosis to Advance Clinical Treatment Regimen for pSS Patients
Published on: March 1, 2024
João Paulo Gonçalves de Paiva1, Caique Mariano Pedroso1, Rosa María López-Pintor Muñoz2
1Departamento de Diagnóstico Oral, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
Objective:
Patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) suffer from oral pain in the absence of oral lesions. Although less frequently, they may also experience extraoral symptoms that are not readily apparent to clinicians. This study aimed to systematically assess the prevalence of associated extraoral symptoms and comorbid disorders in BMS patients.
Methods:
Comprehensive searches were performed in five electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and LILACS). Observational studies that reported extraoral symptoms in primary BMS patients were included. The collected data were analyzed descriptively. The quality assessment of the included studies was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute tools.
Results:
We included 22 studies encompassing 2786 BMS patients. Most patients were female (n = 2138; 76.7%). BMS-associated extraoral symptoms and comorbidities disorders included sleep disturbances (71.8%), anxiety (65.7%), depression (60.6%), alexithymia (6.1%), tinnitus (5.9%), low back pain (45.3%), and headache (4.4%). Fifteen studies were classified as low risk, six as moderate risk, and one as high risk of bias.
Conclusions:
BMS patients experience associated extraoral symptoms and comorbid disorders in addition to intraoral pain. These symptoms must be taken into account by clinicians and receive appropriate clinical treatment, as they can significantly affect patients' quality of life.
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease II: Clinical Features and Management
Clinical Manifestations
GERD presents itself in a multitude of ways, with symptoms varying from person to person. The hallmark symptoms are...
Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Few clinical manifestations differentiate gastric ulcers from duodenal ulcers. Distinctions in the location, timing, and pain relief are crucial for healthcare providers in differentiating between gastric and duodenal ulcers during clinical assessments.
Taste Buds and Receptors
Bulimia Nervosa
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...

