Exploring Beverage Intake and Dietary Timing Patterns in Medication-Induced Xerostomia: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Oral Medicine
• Pharmacology
• Dietary Science

Background:

• Xerostomia (dry mouth) is a common medication side effect impacting oral function.
• Limited research explores xerostomia's effect on beverage intake and meal timing in middle-aged adults.
• This study focuses on medication-induced xerostomia in non-cancer populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between beverage intake, meal timing, and salivary gland function in individuals with medication-induced xerostomia.
• To assess subjective and objective measures of salivary gland function.
• To understand behavioral adaptations to oral dryness.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional pilot study of 90 adults (45-66 years) using anticholinergic medications.
• Assessed salivary function: unstimulated whole saliva (UWS), minor salivary flow (MSF), and Xerostomia Inventory (XI).
• Used validated questionnaires for beverage intake and meal timing; adjusted for demographics and comorbidities.

Main Results:

• Hyposalivation correlated with higher xerostomia severity (XI scores) and greater anticholinergic medication burden.
• Later timing of last food/snack intake was independently associated with increased xerostomia.
• Neither total beverage nor water intake volume correlated with salivary flow or xerostomia scores.
• Nighttime eating linked to higher anticholinergic burden.

Conclusions:

• Meal and snack timing, not fluid volume, may better indicate symptom burden in medication-induced xerostomia.
• Individuals adapt their eating behaviors in response to oral dryness.
• Findings highlight the importance of considering intake timing in managing xerostomia.