A comparison of various methods of assessing salivary flow in normal and xerostomic subjects

Abstract

Saliva is produced by the three major paired salivary glands and minor salivary glands. Alterations in the quantity and quality of saliva have adverse effects on the oral cavity and influence patient quality of Hfe. How much saliva is needed to differentiate between a normal salivary flow and salivary hypofunction is debatable and the literature indicates contradicting results. Diy mouth is a common clinical problem, especially among elderly patients. However, it may also be found in younger individuals suffering from a variety of diseases and in patients on various medications or who have had radiotherapy of the oral cavity and neck region. The present study was designed: i) to examine the reproducibility of methods of salivary flow measurements for minor salivary glands and for whole saliva, both stimulated and unstimulated, in normal healthy adults, ii) to examine the relationships between different methods for the measurement of salivary flow, for minor salivary glands and for whole saliva, both stimulated and unstimulated, in normal healthy adults, iii) to examine the relationships between salivary flow measurements for minor, parotid and whole saliva, both stimulated and unstimulated, in normal healthy adults, iv) to examine the relationships between different methods for measurement of unstimulated salivary gland flow in a cohort of patients with severely reduced salivary flow following head and neck radiotherapy, and v) to examine the relationship between unstimulated minor salivary gland flow and subjective xerostomia, as measured by a conventional questionnaire, in the same patient cohort. Unstimulated and stimulated saliva were coflected with different techniques from young healthy adults. Collection of whole saliva was carried out by spitting and with Salivettes®. Saliva from labial minor salivary glands was collected using Sialopaper® (Periotron®) and filter paper (weighing).