SUBJECTIVE XEROSTOMIA IN LONG-TERM SURVIVING CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS AFTER PEDIATRIC BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION1

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Background. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate whether the subjective symptoms of dry mouth in long-term-surviving pediatric bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients are associated with low unstimulated salivary secretion rates (USSR) and with stimulated whole salivary secretion rates (SSSR). Methods. Fifty-three patients surviving ≥2 years after pediatric allogeneic BMT were included. USSR, SSSR, and the change in salivary secretion rates since the previous year were estimated. A questionnaire regarding subjective symptoms of xerostomia was answered. Results. The mean USSR and SSSR were 0.24±0.17 and 0.90±0.58 ml/min, respectively. Salivary gland dysfunction, defined as USSR ≤0.1 ml/min or SSSR ≤0.5 ml/min, was present in 35% of the patients. Seventy-nine percent of the patients expressed one or more symptom of dry mouth, and 49% gave at least two answers indicating dry mouth. The number of complaints increased with age at examination (P P P P P P P <0.05). Conclusion. The expression of subjective complaints of xerostomia among long-term surviving pediatric BMT patients is correlated to salivary gland dysfunction and age. It is very important to identify these patients with salivary gland dysfunction to relieve their symptoms and prevent secondary complications.