Exploring the potential factors of burning mouth syndrome in elderly people: A cross-sectional study

Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) remains a clinical challenge because of the unclear and multifactorial nature of its etiopathogenesis. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and potential factors involved in the occurrence of BMS in older adults.

Data from 365 individuals attending healthcare services in Manaus, Brazil, were analyzed. Clinical evaluation was conducted by a single calibrated examiner. Sociodemographic aspects, health conditions, medication use, smoking habits, need for dental prostheses, presence of xerostomia, and reports of BMS were also evaluated. The chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, G-test, binary logistic regression, and odds ratios were used to estimate the occurrence of BMS based on the independent variables.

The prevalence rate of BMS was 4.9%. In univariate analyses, BMS was significantly associated with race (p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.013), systemic arterial hypertension (p = 0.024), and xerostomia (p = 0.005). In the binary logistic regression model, BMS was significantly associated with race (p = 0.031), with white participants having a 7.3 times higher risk of BMS than multiracial participants (OR = 7.3; 95% CI: 2.4-22.1). Binary logistic regression also showed that xerostomia was significantly associated with BMS (p = 0.019), increasing the risk by 3.8 times (OR = 3.8; 95% CI: 1.2-11.8).

Race and xerostomia were associated with BMS in older adults. These findings may help clinicians refine and tailor treatment strategies within a personalized care approach for this population.