Acta clinica Croatica, Vol. 61. No. 2, 2022.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2022.61.02.19
Sialorrhea and Xerostomia in Parkinson’s Disease Patients
Bruno Špiljak
; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Marijana Lisak
orcid.org/0000-0002-1225-6922
; Department of Neurology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
Hanna Pašić
; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Zlatko Trkanjec
; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Neurology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
Arijana Lovrenčić Huzjan
; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Neurology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
Vanja Bašić Kes
; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Neurology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is generally considered as a primary movement disorder,
but the majority of patients also suffer from non-motor oral, salivary symptoms. The most common
salivary symptoms, sialorrhea and xerostomia, have a considerable negative impact on the quality of
life. Although these symptoms are completely opposite ones, both significantly impair oral health of
patients. Sialorrhea is defined as an increased amount of the retaining saliva. It is related to salivary
overproduction, or it may be associated with impaired clearance of saliva. Opposed to sialorrhea, xerostomia
is subjectively defined as dryness of mouth and it is related to insufficient salivary secretion.
Xerostomia promotes imbalance of oral microflora and oral pathology that often leads to malnutrition
in PD patients. It is mostly related to autonomic dysfunction, or it might be considered as a side effect
of dopaminergic or anticholinergic medication. In PD, different assessments are used for evaluation
of sialorrhea and xerostomia, including validated scales for non-motor symptoms and standardized
questionnaires on oral health. Consequently, treatment of salivary symptoms includes pharmacological
and nonpharmacological approach, and surgical interventions. A multidisciplinary approach in
clinical neurology and dental medicine, which includes accurate evaluation of salivary symptoms and
effective treatment, indicates successful management of PD patients.
Keywords
Parkinson’s disease; Sialorrhea; Xerostomia
Hrčak ID:
285012
URI
Publication date:
1.8.2022.
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