KUMJ | VOL. 13 | NO. 2 | ISSUE 50 | APRIL-JUNE 2015
Evaluation of Sialometric Analysis of Patients Suffering from Depressive Disorders
Annette Milton B, Bhambal A, Nair P
Abstract: Background
Depressive disorders, worldwide, may rank second by the year 2020. In India;
about 10 million people suffer from depressive disorders, the prevalence rate being
recorded as 31.2 for every 1000 individuals. A significant impairment of all personal
hygiene may occur due a depressive episode which in turn may result in altered
salivary flow.
Objective
The present study was a hospital- based clinical cross-sectional study which was
conducted in Bhopal, the heart of Madhya Pradesh, India. It was done to assess the
relationship of bring about a comparison of sialometric alterations between normal
and subjects with depressive disorders.
Method
The survey period extended over a period of one year and two months, from May
2009 to July 2010. It was conducted in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Central India. A
sample size of 150 individuals, 50 of each group, was taken in the study. Whole
salivary flow rates were determined by gravimetric method (i.e. in millilitres per
minute). The Tenovuo criterion was used, to which numerical scores (SFI) were
attributed.
Result
Results showed that the unstimulated salivary flow rates between patients of
Group I and Group III (p< 0.0001) and between Group II and Group III (p < 0.0001)
were statistically significant. The study also showed statistically significant relation
between subjective and objective oral dryness (chi 2= 55.789, df= 6 and p< 0.0001).
Conclusion
It was observed that subjective sensation of dry mouth may exist even in the presence
of normal salivary flow rates. This might be acknowledged as a psychophysiological
expression of depression and may not necessarily reflect actual salivary gland
function. The lack of secreted mucins rather than the quantity of saliva may play a
role in the genesis of xerostomia.
Keyword : Depression, sialometry, sialometric analysis, subjective oral dryness, unstimulated saliva, xerostomia.
