Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate some tests for oral dryness patients, and to examine the influence of age and the relationship among the tests.
The subjects were 37 oral dryness patients, divided to two groups; one group under 64 years old (13 patients) and the other group over 65 years old (24 patients). Four tests were performed : flow rate of rest saliva, Saxon test, oral moisture, and RSST. The results of each test between the two groups were compared by a Mann-Whitney Test. Spearman's rank correlation was performed to analyze the correlation between the tests.
There were no statistically significant differences on the results of each test between the two groups. There was no correlation between the tests on the group under 64 years old. There was a statistically significant correlation between the Saxon test and RSST (r=0.44, p<0.05) on the group over 65 years old.
The results of this study made it clear that the tests for oral dryness patients indicated the degree of oral dryness. Therefore, the flow rate of rest saliva, Saxon test, and oral moisture were effective tests for oral dryness. There was correlation between the Saxon test and RSST, and it was suggested that the oral dryness patients with a low level of stimulated saliva would have swallowing dysfunction.
