Original scientific paper
Factors determining the choice of therapeutical methods in xerostomia
Ana Cekić-Arambašin
; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Kata Rošin-Grget
; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Xerostomia is a subjective oral symptom quite frequently occurring in the mouth and consequential to either organic or functional salivary gland impairment, according to which therapy is to be chosen. Eighty both young elderly patients with symptoms of xerostomia were included in the study. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of age on the choice of therapy, i. e. central, chemical or mechanical stimulation of salivation, or replacement of saliva. The results obtained indicated an increased prevalence of xerostomia
in women. In elderly subjects, a decreased capacity of central stimulation of salivation was observed in comparison to young ones. Significant differences were found in the possibility of using local chemical stimulation between young and elderly subjects. Stimulation of salivary secretion could not be applied as a method of choice in the treatment of xerostomia in a half of the elderly subjects under study, although no significant differences in relation to young subjects were observed.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
105274
URI
Publication date:
15.12.1986.
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