Salivary flow and its relationship to oral signs and symptoms in patients with dry eyes

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate oral symptoms and clinical parameters in dry eye patients. Subjective reports of the sensation of a dry mouth, salivary flow rates, and clinical parameters of oral disease related to three different types of dry eye patients were examined. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: There were 224 individuals, including dry eye patients and control subjects. The dry eye patients were classified into three types: patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS-DE), patients without SS-DE (non-SS-DE), and patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS-DE). Salivary flow rates were measured using two kinds of sialometry. Subjective and objective oral symptoms and signs were also examined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Over half of the dry eye patients complained of a dry mouth. The flow rates of their stimulated whole saliva and parotid saliva were significantly lower than those of the control groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The sensation of a dry mouth and changes in oral soft tissues, dental caries, and oral Candida frequently occurred in dry eye patients.