Xerostomia in a Group of Turkish Patients Using an Online Survey During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background Xerostomia is defined as the subjective feeling of dry mouth and affects millions of patients worldwide. Most studies are based on samples of the elderly in nursing homes. This study aimed to investigate the presence of xerostomia and the severity of self-reported xerostomia by sociodemographic variables and to evaluate xerostomia symptoms (self-reported halitosis, burning mouth, and mouth sores) in young adults. Methodology A questionnaire regarding sociodemographic data and the 11-item Xerostomia Inventory was delivered to patients aged 20-65 years who applied to the Ankara 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. Xerostomia presence of 54.6% (164 patients) was identified. A significant relationship was found between age and xerostomia (p = 0.023; p = 0.001). The presence of xerostomia decreased as age increased. Xerostomia was more common in female patients (p = 0.028; p = 0.004). The presence of xerostomia was found to be high, not only in the elderly but also in younger adults. Conclusions This study sheds light on the current status, symptoms, and etiology of xerostomia presence in the young population in Turkey. Factors associated with xerostomia were age, female gender, and the number of cigarettes smoked per day. In this study, the high presence of xerostomia was due to smoking.