The Prevalence Of Xerostomia In A Group Of Turkish Patients Using An
Online Survey During COVID-19 Pandemic
Abstract
Objectives: Xerostomia is defined as the subjective feeling of
dry mouth. It is a condition that affects millions of patients
worldwide. The aim was to study prevalence and severity of self-reported
xerostomia by sociodemographic variables and to evaluate self-reported
halitosis, burning mouth, and mouth sores. Methods: A
questionnaire regarding sociodemographic data and the 11-item Xerostomia
Inventory was delivered to patients, 20-65 years of age applied to the
XXXX University Faculty of Dentistry for dental treatment before the
COVID-19 pandemic. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the
relationships between the presence of xerostomia and other variables
such as age, gender, the presence of a systemic disease, medication use,
smoking, alcohol consumption, and the use of removable prostheses.
Results: A total of 300 patients were included in the study; a
prevalence of xerostomia of 54.6% was identified. A significant
relationship was found between age and xerostomia ( p = 0.023;
p = 0.001). The prevalence of xerostomia decreased as age
increased. Xerostomia was more common in female patients ( p =
0.028; p = 0.004). The prevalence of xerostomia was found to be
high, not only in the elderly, but also in younger adults.
Conclusion: Xerostomia was reported in approximately one in two
patients in an adult Turkish population. Factors associated with
xerostomia were age, female gender and the number of cigarettes smoked
per day. In this study, the high prevalence of xerostomia was due to
smoking.