Minor salivary gland secretion in the elderly

Objective. Very little information exists on minor salivary gland output (M SGO) in health and disease. We investigated the minor salivary gland output of elderly subjects with different medical backgrounds and the relationshi p of that output with life practices, demographic variables, complaints of dry mouth, medication usage, functional status, medical treatments, and den tal and medical variables. Study design. MSGO was measured with a special moisture-detecting paper on the lip, cheek, and palate, which comprised the total MSGO. A parsimonious linear regression model was developed to determine which of the many measur ed variables influenced the MSGO. Results. There were significant differences in MSGO between the recruitment sites, with the non-Veteran Affairs(VA) independent Living participants ha ving significantly lower MSGO than the VA groups. A secretion rate for MSGO based on median values from all subjects of <4.6 mu L/min was categorized as being low whereas a secretion rate for MSGO greater than or equal to 4.6 mu L/min was categorized as high. A regression model was used to examine v ariables that could he associated with MSGO variability. The results show t hat being older, a woman, a current smoker, and having a complaint of dry m outh were associated with lower MSGO rates. Conclusions. An association between subjective complaints of dry mouth and a decrease in MSGO measured objectively was demonstrated in this elderly po pulation. Furthermore, age and sex effects on MSGO were also demonstrated.