Clinical features of burning mouth syndrome

doi:10.1016/0030-4220(87)90336-7

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology

Volume 63, Issue 1, January 1987, Pages 30-36

Oral Surgery, Oral M...

https://doi.org/10.1016/0030-4220(87)90336-7 Get rights and content

Abstract

A study was carried out to compare the clinical features of 102 subjects suffering from burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and 43 age- and sex-matched control subjects. In comparison with those in the control group, the BMS subjects reported a significantly higher prevalence of dry mouth, thirst, taste and sleep disturbances, headaches, nonspecific health problems, pain complaints, and severe menopausal symptoms, but no significant differences in other oral or dental features or in the prevalence of candidiasis infection. In addition, there was no hematologic evidence of a nutritional disturbance in more than 90% of the BMS subjects tested, but immunologic abnormalities and an elevation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate were found in more than 58% and 63% of the BMS subjects, respectively. These findings demonstrate those features which distinguish BMS subjects from age- and sex-matched control subjects but provide no confirmatory evidence for many of the etiologic factors frequently suggested for BMS.

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Cited by (318)

Clinical and epidemiological profile of burning mouth syndrome patients following the International Headache Society classification: a systematic review and meta-analysis
2024, Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology
This systematic review aimed to determine the clinical and epidemiologic profile of patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) following the current classification of the International Headache Society (IHS)—the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) and the International Classification of Orofacial Pain (ICOP).
This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist and involved a comprehensive search on PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, LILACS, and the gray literature.
Of the 4,252 studies identified, 41 were included. In general, there were no differences between the clinical and epidemiologic profiles of patients with BMS classified based on ICHD-3 or ICOP. Studies were pooled in meta-analyses and showed a significant prevalence of female patients between the sixth and seventh decade of life. The burning sensation and the tongue were the most prevalent descriptors and affected location. Significant associations were demonstrated between BMS and anxiety (P = .0006), depression (P = .004), and poor oral hygiene (P = .00001).
Under the existing contemporary classification systems, patients with BMS were found to be mostly females in the sixth and seventh decade of life with a burning sensation on the tongue. Experiencing depression and anxiety was a commonly existing comorbidity.
Xerostomia, reduced salivary flow, and oral burning: Associations from a cross-sectional study
2023, Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology
Determine the association between xerostomia, salivary flow, and oral burning.
A cross-sectional retrospective study involving consecutive patients with an oral burning complaint during a 6-year period. Treatments including a dry mouth management protocol (DMP) along with other therapies were implemented. Study variables included xerostomia, unstimulated whole salivary flow rate (UWSFR), pain intensity, and medication use. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlations, linear regression, and Analysis of Variance.
Among the 124 patients meeting the inclusion criteria, 99 were female, with a mean age of 63.1 (range 26-86) years. The baseline UWSFR was low (0.24 ± 0.29 mL/min) and 46% experienced hyposalivation (<0.1 mL/min). Xerostomia was reported by 77.7%, and 82.8% had coexistence of xerostomia and hyposalivation. DMP resulted in significant pain reduction between visits (P < .001).
Hyposalivation and xerostomia were highly prevalent in patients with oral burning. A DMP proved beneficial to these patients.
Association of medications with burning mouth syndrome in Taiwanese aged patients
2023, Journal of Dental Sciences
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) occurs more frequently in middle-aged or elderly patients, especially the older female patients. It may relate to multiple medications in the older people. This study aimed to evaluate the association of polypharmacy with BMS.
Eighty BMS patients aged from 45 to 80 years were recruited into this study, and their medical data, especially the medication records, were collected and analyzed to assess the association of polypharmacy with BMS.
Of the 80 BMS patients, 14 did not take any medication, 38 took 1–4 medicines, 17 took 5–8 medicines, and 11 took ≥9 medicines. The mean number of medicines taken by each BMS patient is 4.49. For the 80 BMS patients, the mean number of medicines taken by each BMS patient was significantly higher in the older age group (7.00 ± 7.76; age ≥65 years; n = 31) than in the relatively younger age group (2.90 ± 2.95; age 45–64 years; n = 49) (P = 0.001). The similar result was also observed in the female BMS patients. We also found that psychotropics, gastroprotectors and gastrointestinal tract (GI)-associated drugs, and antihypertensives were the three most commonly used drugs in our 80 BMS patients. Among them, the relatively high frequencies of using anxiolytics and antidepressants in the psychotropics, and beta-blockers in the antihypertensives were observed.
Our findings suggest that multiple medications (polypharmacy) may play an important role in the development of BMS, especially for the older female BMS patients.
Long-term prognosis of burning mouth syndrome following treatment
2022, International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term prognosis of patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) after the termination or discontinuation of treatment and to identify the clinical characteristics that might affect that prognosis. Of 769 patients with an oral burning sensation, 202 with primary BMS who had been treated for at least 3 months were included. Among them, 28 patients who responded to the treatment and 25 patients who did not were assigned to responder and non-responder groups, respectively. Based on telephone interviews, the responders were classified into relapse and non-relapse subgroups, and the non-responder group into persistence and remission subgroups. The majority of responders reported no oral discomfort since their last visit. Compared with the non-relapse subgroup, the relapse subgroup had significantly higher levels of xerostomia at the first visit (P = 0.026) and taste disturbance at the last visit (P = 0.015). The majority of non-responders reported persistent oral discomfort since their last visit. No significant differences were found in the characteristics of oral symptoms between the persistence and remission subgroups. In conclusion, the treatment outcomes in the majority of responders and non-responders were maintained following treatment. Xerostomia and taste disturbance were associated with relapse of oral discomfort in the responders.
Use of Clonazepam Mouthwash in Burning Mouth Syndrome With Concurrent Psychiatric Conditions: A Case Report
2022, Journal of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
Saliva flow rates and clinical characteristics of patients with burning mouth syndrome: A case–control study
2021, International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic pain condition that most commonly affects postmenopausal women older than 50 years of age. Xerostomia is a common complaint among BMS patients. However, previous studies showed inconsistent findings regarding saliva flow rate reduction. This study examined saliva flow rates, degree of mucosal hydration, xerostomia, and clinical characteristics in BMS patients compared with healthy controls. Unstimulated whole saliva (USWS) was collected through passive drooling; residual mucosal saliva (RMS) was collected using filter paper strips. Stimulated whole saliva (SWS) was collected while chewing on gum base. Oral exam and self-report data were collected. A total of 50 women (22 BMS cases and 28 healthy controls) aged 50 years or older were included in the analysis of this study. Mean age was 62 years for cases and 56 years for controls (P = 0.05). Compared with controls, cases had significantly lower USWS flow rates (P < 0.001) and had a higher prevalence of xerostomia (P = 0.001), gastrointestinal disease (P < 0.001), and vaginal dryness (P = 0.01). These data show that oral and vaginal dryness are common among BMS patients. Further studies are needed to investigate potential pathophysiological mechanisms related to the quality of saliva and mucosal barrier status among these patients.

View all citing articles on Scopus

^∗: Division of Biological Sciences and Department of Oral Medicine and Pathology, and Faculty of Dentistry.

View full text

Clinical features of burning mouth syndrome

Abstract

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol

J Am Dent Assoc

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol

Pain

Pain

Int J Oral Surg

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol

Am J Clin Nutr

Pain

Glossodynia: a study of idiopathic orolingual pain

J Am Dent Assoc

Patients with burning mouths

A clinical investigation of causative factors, including the climacteric and diabetes

Br Dent J

Aetiology and investigation of the sore mouth

Can Dent Assoc J

Oral complaints related to climacteric symptoms in oophorectomized women

J R Soc Med

Patients complaining of a burning mouth

Br Dent J

Tissue sensitivity to acrylic resin

A method of measuring the residual monomer content and its clinical application

Br Dent J

Psychological and physical symptom-formation in menopause

Psychother Psychosom

The effect of steroid hormones on buccal mucosa of menopausal women

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol

Glossodynia

JAMA

Studies in the etiology of idiopathic orolingual paresthesias

Am J Digest Dis

The syndrome of oral complaints: etiology and therapy

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol

Psychogenic aspects of the burning mouth

NY State Dent J

The burning mouth syndrome

Restorative and prosthodontic treatment

NY State Dent J

Therapy of idiopathic orolingual paresthesias

NY State J Med

Psychogenic facial pain: presentation and treatment

Br Med J

Psychophysical assessment of tactile, pain and thermal sensory functions in burning mouth syndrome

Pain

Psychophysical evidence of taste dysfunction in burning mouth syndrome

Chemical Senses

Pain and personality profiles in burning mouth syndrome

Pain

Rational procedures for diagnosis and medical risk assessment

Oral diagnosis