To investigate the impact of gustatory stimulants of salivary secretion (GSSS) on Sjögren's syndrome patients' self-perception of xerostomia, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and salivary secretion.
A total of 110 Sjögren's syndrome patients were randomly allocated to be treated with either a malic acid lozenge or a citric acid mouthwash and then crossed over. Before and after the interventions, the Xerostomia Inventory 5 (SXI-5-PL) and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14-PT) questionnaires (both in the Portuguese language) were administered to patients. Unstimulated, mechanical and gustatory-stimulated salivary flows were determined. Repeated measures and between-subject analyses were performed. Statistical significance was set at 5%.
After the intervention and within each group, both GSSS elicited a reduction in the SXI-5-PL and OHIP-14-PT scores and an increase in salivary output, significant in the malic acid lozenge group. The malic acid treatment resulted in a greater effect size and percentage improvement than citric acid mouthwash. The malic acid lozenge also produced a significant greater salivary output than the citric acid rising solution.
In Sjögren's syndrome patients, lozenges containing malic acid increased saliva production and xerostomia relief, resulting in improved quality of life.