Determination of Variation of Stimulated Salivary Flow Rates

Abstract

Salivary hypofunction is associated with oral and pharyngeal disorders and requires early diagnosis and intervention. Large variability in salivary flow rates within and between individuals has been reported, which has impaired the establishment of standard values. The objective of this study was to determine variations in stimulated parotid and submandibular flow rates over 6 hours and to define salivary hypofunction. Pooled mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation values for four collection time periods were obtained from 36 healthy males and females (18 young, ages 20-38; 18 older, ages 60-77). The results demonstrated 27-44% variation in salivary flow rates over time. Overall, there were no significant age or gender differences in variability between and within salivary flow rates at all collection time periods. The results suggest that a 45% range in salivary flow rates could be considered normal salivary variation, and values below 45% of normal levels could be used to define salivary hypofunction.

The value of rituximab treatment in primary Sjögren's syndrome

“…UWS and SWS are both outcomes of interest. However, it is important to realize that patients show substantial intra-individual variability in salivary flow, resulting in a large standard deviation [40,41]. Therefore, adequate sample sizes are needed to show the effect of treatment on salivary gland function.…”

Assessment of dental caries risk in children by color Doppler ultrasonography by the evaluation of changes in blood perfusion in the salivary glands during salivary stimulation

“…Recently, a variation of 27%-44% was reported to be present for SFRs over time (27). Accordingly, a 45% range in stimulated parotid and submandibular SFRs was noted to be a normal variation, and values less than 45% were suggested to define salivary hypofunction (27).…”

“…Recently, a variation of 27%-44% was reported to be present for SFRs over time (27). Accordingly, a 45% range in stimulated parotid and submandibular SFRs was noted to be a normal variation, and values less than 45% were suggested to define salivary hypofunction (27). Therefore, the diagnosis and assessment of salivary hypofunction are relatively subjective, unless an individual base record of salivary flow has been established (14).…”

The Effects of Prosthetic Treatment on Oral Candidiasis

“…Salivary flow has been reported to both decrease [10,11] and not decrease with age [12,13]. An epidemiological survey in Europe and America found that approximately 25% of the population was aware of xerostomia or dry mouth syndrome [14], while in Japan, an estimated 8million to 30 million patients are known to be unaware [15].…”