Prevalence and factors associated with xerostomia and hyposalivation among community‐dwelling older people in Japan

Abstract

Objective This study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with xerostomia and hyposalivation among community‐dwelling older people. Background Xerostomia and hyposalivation are common symptoms in the older population. Materials and methods This study included with 894 community‐dwelling, Japanese older people (355 men, 539 women; age 65–84 years) who participated in a comprehensive geriatric health examination, which included questionnaires and interviews regarding medical history, medications, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG‐IC), depressive condition. The Zung Self‐Rating Depression Scale (SDS) was used to evaluate depression. Resting salivary flow rate was evaluated by the modified cotton roll method. Results In this study, 34.8% of the participants (mean age, 73.5 ± 5.0 years) complained about xerostomia, while the prevalence of hyposalivation was 11.5%. Multiple regression analysis revealed hypnotics use [odds ratio (OR) = 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.13–2.61], SDS (OR = 1.05, CI = 1.04–1.07) and TMIG‐IC total points (OR = 0.87, CI = 0.76–0.99) to be significantly associated with xerostomia. In contrast, female gender (OR = 2.59, CI = 1.55–4.31) and the use of agents affecting digestive organs (OR = 1.78, CI = 1.11–2.86) were associated with hyposalivation. Conclusion Our findings showed that the prevalence of xerostomia and hyposalivation were approximately 1 in 3 and 1 in 10 respectively. The factors associated with psychological factors and high‐level functional competence, while hyposalivation was associated with medications and gender, as well as systemic and/or metabolic differences. It is important to consider these multidimensional factors associated with xerostomia and hyposalivation.