Assessment of a New Tool to Monitor Oral Hydration and Dry Mouth: FishburneTabs

Hyposalivation is a common condition, particularly among older adults, often resulting from polypharmacy or age-related salivary gland degeneration. While sialometry is the reference method for diagnosing hyposalivation, it is challenging to use in dependent patients or those with cognitive impairments. This study aimed to test a new tool, FishburneTabs (FBTs), by comparing it with sialometry and evaluating its concordance with the Clinical Oral Dryness Score (CODS).

This study compared three different techniques for assessing hyposalivation in 59 patients (care home residents): CODS evaluation, saliva collection using FBTs, and stimulated salivary flow sialometry.

Positive correlations were identified between FBTs and salivary flow measurements (r = 0.68, p < 0.05), and negative correlations between CODS and both FBTs (r = -0.51, p < 0.05) and salivary flow (r = -0.62, p < 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of FBTs for identifying hyposalivation were 62.2% and 61.9%, respectively, with a positive predictive value of 74.2% and a negative predictive value of 48.1%.

FBTs show promise as a supportive tool for assessing hyposalivation in settings where sialometry is not feasible, although they are not a direct substitute for sialometry as the reference method.