Hyposalivation is a common oral problem among dialysis patients. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between hyposalivation and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) using the MOS Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36). Three-hundred and forty-seven patients who received hemodialysis treatment between May 2008 and July 2008 at a specialized hospital were enrolled in the study. Among them, 212 patients who agreed to participate and had complete data sets were entered into the analyses. Those with both a resting salivary flow rate ≤0.1 mL/min and a stimulated salivary flow rate ≤1.0 mL/min were defined as showing hyposalivation. The association of hyposalivation with 8 health domains and 3 summary scores of SF-36 was evaluated using general linear models. The models included adjustments for the age, sex, underlying cause of dialysis, duration of dialysis, comorbidities, body mass index, smoking status, and alcohol use. One-hundred and three patients (48.6% [103/212]) were defined as showing hyposalivation. Hyposalivation was significantly correlated with SF-36 health domains of: physical functioning, role physical, general health, and social functioning; and the summary score: physical component summary (p<0.05). The reported findings suggest an independent relationship between hyposalivation and a poor HRQOL among dialysis patients.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the longitudinal change of potential respiratory pathogens in the trachea and nasal mucosa of intubated intensive care unit (ICU) inpatients with neurological disorders. We focused on eight bacterial species designated “Bacteria requiring special attention” (SA), which are routinely under surveillance in the ICU of Kagawa University Hospital. Clinical data from bacterial testing of specimens from tracheal sputum or nasal mucosa swabs were analyzed. SA were detected in the trachea of 32.7% of patients on the first day of intubation. Furthermore, the detection rate of SA in the trachea increased over several days among patients in whom they were not detected on the first day. Most patients who were SA-positive in the trachea were also positive in the nasal mucosa. The rate of SA in the nasal mucosa of comatose patients was significantly higher than that in patients at other consciousness levels. It was suggested that thorough oral and/or nasal hygiene management is very important for comatose patients to reduce the risk of pneumonia.

We previously reported that Myrsine seguinii extract suppresses the production of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) in vitro, which is considered to be the main cause of halitosis. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a single session of masticating M. seguinii extract-containing chewing gum on VSC reduction and to clarify the effective quantity of M. seguinii extract. A double-blind crossover study was conducted involving 19 healthy subjects. The concentrations of VSC in the oral air were analyzed using gas chromatography before mastication of the chewing gum for 5 min (baseline), immediately after, 1 hour later, and 2 hours later. The test chewing gum contained 10.0, 5.0, or 2.5 mg of M. seguinii extract per tablet. Each subject masticated two tablets of the test chewing gum or the control chewing gum. The washout period was 1 week. In the high-dose group (20.0 mg/2 tablets), the concentrations of total VSC, hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and methyl mercaptan (CH₃SH) were significantly decreased at 1 hour after mastication compared with those before mastication. In the middle-dose group (10.0 mg/2 tablets), the concentration of CH₃SH tended to decrease at 1 hour after mastication compared with that at the baseline. In the low-dose group (5.0mg/2 tablets), the concentration of CH₃SH was significantly decreased at 1 hour after mastication compared with that at the baseline. No significant changes in the concentration of VSC were noted in the control group. Thus, the single session of masticating M. seguinii extract containing chewing gum was temporarily effective to reduce VSC. The effective amount was more than 20.0 mg of M. seguinii extract.

J Dent Hlth 67: 77-83, 2017

Abstract in Japaneses

The saliva test was administered to participants of an oral health promotion event organized by the Tokyo Minato-ku Shiba Dental Association. The health promotion event was organized once a year in a public square in front of JR Shimbashi Station for five years. The event was aimed to promote awareness of periodontal disease through the saliva test.

The results were sent to the subjects with a questionnaire by post. The questionnaire consisted of 7 items: i) How did you learn about this event?, ii) Was the saliva test easy for you?, iii) Did you feel resistance to saliva collection?, iv) Do you want to participate in this event again?, v) Do you understand the test results?, vi) Will you now go for a dental check-up?, and vii) Have you become interested in periodontal disease through the saliva test?

Almost all respondents of the questionnaire showed positive attitudes towards the saliva test and an increased awareness of periodontal disease as a result of this event; however, the response rate was low (survey response rate; 22.1%). Therefore, the saliva test may promote public awareness of periodontal disease.