Xerostomia in Patients With and Without Concomitant Oral Burning Pain And/Or Dysesthesia

The severity of xerostomia often does not correlate with objective salivary flow rates. Moreover, the influence of concomitant oral burning pain and/or dysesthesia on xerostomia is not well understood.

To investigate the influence of oral burning pain and/or dysesthesia on the severity of xerostomia.

This retrospective study analysed 396 patients with a chief complaint of dry mouth. Patients were divided into those with xerostomia alone (n = 146) and those with concomitant oral burning pain and/or dysesthesia (n = 250). Data were collected through comprehensive questionnaires, salivary flow rate measurements, Candida culture test and psychological evaluations. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify factors related to the severity of xerostomia.

No significant differences were observed in the self-reported severity of xerostomia-related symptoms or behaviours between the two groups. In patients with xerostomia alone, symptom severity was primarily associated with objective factors, particularly lower stimulated whole salivary flow rate and a higher degree of Candida colonisation. In contrast, in patients with xerostomia and concomitant oral burning pain and/or dysesthesia, the severity of xerostomia was most significantly associated with the intensities of taste disturbances and oral pain, and the presence of psychological distress, with salivary flow rates showing a much weaker correlation.

The severity of xerostomia in patients with xerostomia alone is closely linked to salivary gland function, whereas in patients with xerostomia and concomitant oral burning pain and/or dysesthesia, it is more strongly influenced by the severity of these symptoms and psychological distress.