The association between oral dryness and use of dry-mouth interventions in Sjogren's syndrome patients

Objective Sjogren's syndrome patients use different dry-mouth interventions for the relieve of their oral dryness. Recently, it was shown that patients with dry-mouth complaints have regional differences in perceived intra-oral dryness. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether the use of dry-mouth interventions is related to the perceived regional oral dryness. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was performed among Sjogren's patients. Volunteers could anonymously administer various questionnaires, including the Regional Oral Dryness Inventory (RODI), Xerostomia Inventory (XI), Bother Index (BI) and a list of dry-mouth interventions. Results Sjogren's syndrome patients use a wide variety for the relieve of oral dryness. Drinking water'' and moistening the lips'' were used most frequently. Dry-mouth interventions, drinking water'', rinsing of the mouth, and drinking small volumes had significant associations with the RODI-scores of the posterior palate, and anterior and posterior tongue, respectively. On the other hand, using mouth gel'' had a significant association with the RODI-scores of the inside cheeks. Conclusion Sjogren's syndrome patients are more likely to use mouth gels when their inside cheeks were experienced as most dry, while they drank water, rinsed their mouth or drank small volumes if the posterior palate, and anterior and posterior tongue were considered as dry. It can be concluded that intra-oral dryness affects dry-mouth perception and thereby also the use of the various dry-mouth interventions.

Automated summary

Patients with Sjogren's syndrome utilize a variety of dry-mouth interventions for the relief of oral dryness, such as drinking water and moistening the lips. The study revealed significant associations between different dry-mouth interventions and the perceived dryness in specific regions of the mouth, indicating that intra-oral dryness affects the choice of interventions.