The effect of xerostomia and hyposalivation on the quality of life of patients with type II diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease which can have numerous physical effects for patient. Xerostomia is one of these complications. Compared to healthy people, patients with diabetes mellitus, have a worse quality of life, and complications of diabetes are the main determinants of quality of life in these patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of xerostomia and hyposalivation on quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This descriptive-analytical epidemiological study was conducted on 200 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus referred to the diabetes clinic of Shahid Mostafavi in Sari city from October 2015 to January in 2016. A questionnaire containing personal characteristics and medical situation was completed by each person. Then, the Persian Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14-PER) questionnaire was completed by the patients. Eventually, with the use of chewable paraffin for 1.5 min by the patient, stimulated salivary flow rate (SSFR) test was performed, and in order to determine hyposalivation, their saliva amount underwent a gravimetric test. Finally, using statistical software SPSS16, the information was statistically analyzed by independent-samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U, Chi-squared and fisher exact tests. RESULTS: The average age of patient was 56.41 years old (43% male and 57% female). Mean SSFR was 0.7 ml/min in patients and xerostomia were confirmed in 112 patients. Difference between age, gender, drug use, years affecting to diabetes and FBS amount in patient with hyposalivation were not statistically meaningful in proportion to patients without it. But difference between HbA1C and SSFR in patients with hyposalivation were statistically meaningful than to patients without it (p=0.03, p=0.001 respectively). The mean patient score to OHIP-14 were obtained as 38.17. The questionnaire score difference in patients with hyposalivation in proportion to patients without it were not statistically meaningful. CONCLUSION: Hyposalivation possibility increases in diabetic patients with low metabolic control which can cause more severe side effects in relation to oral health. Xerostomia in diabetic patients has negative effects on oral health related quality of life. Diabetic control and patients’ oral problem improvement is effective in their quality of life promotion.