Patient‐reported outcome measures in burning mouth syndrome – a review of the literature

Abstract

Oral Diseases (2013) 19, 230-235 This review aims to investigate the patient-reported outcomes currently used in the burning mouth syndrome literature and to explore whether any standardisation of such measures has taken place. Electronic databases were searched for all types of burning mouth syndrome studies using patient-reported outcome measures. Studies were selected by predefined inclusion criteria. Copies of the papers obtained were thoroughly reviewed. A study-specific data extraction form was used, allowing papers to be reviewed in a standardised manner. The initial literature search yielded a total of 173 citations, 43 of which were deemed suitable for inclusion in this study. Symptom severity and symptomatic relief were reported as a patient-reported outcome measure in 40 of the studies and quantified most commonly using a visual analogue scale. Quality of life was reported in 13 studies included in this review. Depression and/or anxiety was reported in 14 of the studies. As is evident from the variety of questionnaires and instruments used in the evaluation of the impact of burning mouth syndrome on patients' lives, no standardisation of patient outcomes has yet been achieved.

Efficacy of lycopene‐enriched virgin olive oil for treating burning mouth syndrome: a double‐blind randomised

“…Considering the complexity of BMS pathogenesis , it is not surprising that there is no single treatment modality or medication which is effective for the majority of BMS patients.…”

“…Several studies have indicated psychogenic abnormalities as an important causative factor in patients with BMS and specific psychogenic factors such as depression and anxiety. Whilst psychogenic issues are commonly associated with BMS, there is no clear cause and effect relationship, and furthermore, anxiety and depression may be the result of BMS rather than its cause.…”

Assessment of self‐reported sleep disturbance and psychological status in patients with burning mouth syndrome

“…Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic disease characterized by a burning sensation, pain or other dysesthesia, without accompanying clinical and/or laboratory findings . The prevalence of BMS is estimated to be 0.7–4.6% of the general population and the disorder most commonly affects middle‐aged women after menopause . The etiopathogenesis of BMS remains unclear and the issue has generated a good deal of controversy in the literature …”

“…[2][3][4] The etiopathogenesis of BMS remains unclear and the issue has generated a good deal of controversy in the literature. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] According to Scala et al, 1 BMS can be classified as primary/ idiopathic when the cause is impossible to determine, or as secondary when it is possible to identify the syndrome's etiological factors. J€ a€ askel€ ainen 8 divides BMS sufferers into three subgroups: the first characterized by peripheral small diameter fibre neuropathy of intraoral mucosa, the second consisting of sub-clinical major trigeminal neuropathy, and the third suffering a hypofunction of dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia.…”

Retrospective Review of Effectiveness of Various Pharmacological Agents in Treating Burning Mouth Syndrome

“…Symptom severity and symptomatic relief in BMS subjects are most commonly reported using a visual analog scale. 31) Thirdly, some agents were tried in only a few subjects; thus, it was hard to draw conclusions regarding the effectiveness of those agents. Fourthly, the order of drug administration was not controlled.…”