Comparative Study on Saliva Wetness and Oral Mucosa Moisture in Hospitalized Patients with Parkinson's Disease, Cerebrovascular Disease and Fractures

Abstract

We performed a comparative study on saliva wetness and oral mucosa moisture in eight patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), ten patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and ten patients with fractures. Saliva wetness showed no apparent tendency in PD patients, but increased in CVD patients and decreased in fracture patients. Oral mucosa moisture of the tongue decreased in PD patients and stayed in the standard range in CVD and fracture patients. Oral mucosa moisture of the cheek stayed in the standard range in all three groups. There was no correlation between saliva wetness and oral mucosa moisture of the tongue in the three groups. We should consider the variations of saliva wetness and oral mucosa moisture according to pathogenesis in oral care and swallowing rehabilitation.