[PHNUTR-L] Management of xerostomia in older patients : a randomised controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of a new oral lubricant solution

[Kathrynne Holden]

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Drugs Aging. 2007;24(11):957-65.Links
     Management of xerostomia in older patients : a randomised 
controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of a new oral lubricant solution.
     Mouly S, Salom M, Tillet Y, Coudert AC, Oberli F, Preshaw PM, 
Desjonquères S, Bergmann JF.

     Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Unit of Therapeutic 
Research, Department of Internal Medicine, Lariboisière Hospital, Paris, 
France.

     BACKGROUND: Xerostomia is a subjective sensation of mouth dryness 
that may frequently occur in older patients. OBJECTIVE: To compare the 
clinical efficacy and acceptability of a new oxygenated glycerol 
triester (OGT) oral spray taken five times daily with that of a 
commercially available saliva substitute (Saliveze((R))) in the 
treatment of xerostomia. METHODS: Forty-one institutionalised patients 
(28 women, 13 men; mean age 84 +/- 7 years) were randomly assigned to 
receive either OGT or Saliveze((R)) in a 2-week, randomised, 
parallel-group study. Clinical assessment of xerostomia included 
evaluation of mouth dryness using a self-rated, 10cm long visual 
analogue scale (VAS), objective assessment of oral tissue condition 
using a four-point ordinal scale and subjective assessment of symptoms 
of xerostomia using dichotomous responses to a questionnaire. The 
primary endpoint was the day (D) 14 patient-based mouth dryness score 
measured on a self-rated VAS. RESULTS: At D14, OGT resulted in 
significantly greater efficacy with respect to mouth dryness (mean 
between-treatment difference 2.1 +/- 0.1, 95% CI 1.9, 2.3; p = 0.001), 
swallowing difficulty (1.8 +/- 0.3, 95% CI 1.5, 2.1; p = 0.001), speech 
difficulty (1.1 +/- 0.2, 95% CI 1.0, 2.4; p = 0.04) and overall 
sensation of symptom relief (2.7 +/- 1.2, 95% CI 1.9, 3.8; p = 0.001). 
Objective assessment of oral tissues also showed significantly better 
improvement with OGT spray with respect to dryness (p = 0.01), 
stickiness (p = 0.005) and dullness (p = 0.001) of oral mucosa; severity 
of mucositis (p = 0.01); and thickening of the tongue (p = 0.03). A 
significant difference in taste acceptability was also noted in favour 
of OGT (1.4 +/- 0.6, 95% CI 1.2, 1.9; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: OGT 
lubricant oral spray was superior to Saliveze((R)) in improving 
xerostomia and oral tissue condition in older institutionalised patients.

     PMID: 17953462 [PubMed - in process]
-- 
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar at nutritionucanlivewith.com >
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