The wafer test: a semi-quantitative test to screen for xerostomia

BackgroundThe most advocated clinical method for diagnosing salivary dysfunction is to quantitate unstimulated and stimulated whole saliva (sialometry). Since there is an expected and wide variation in salivary flow rates among individuals, the assessment of dysfunction can be difficult. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the quality of the evidence for the efficacy of diagnostic methods used to identify oral dryness.MethodsA literature search, with specific indexing terms and a hand search, was conducted for publications that described a method to diagnose oral dryness. The electronic databases of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were used as data sources. Four reviewers selected publications on the basis of predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted from the selected publications using a protocol. Original studies were interpreted with the aid of Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) tool.ResultsThe database searches resulted in 224 titles and abstracts. Of these abstracts, 80 publications were judged to meet the inclusion criteria and read in full. A total of 18 original studies were judged relevant and interpreted for this review. In all studies, the results of the test method were compared to those of a reference method.Based on the interpretation (with the aid of the QUADAS tool) it can be reported that the patient selection criteria were not clearly described and the test or reference methods were not described in sufficient detail for it to be reproduced. None of the included studies reported information on uninterpretable/intermediate results nor data on observer or instrument variation. Seven of the studies presented their results as a percentage of correct diagnoses.ConclusionsThe evidence for the efficacy of clinical methods to assess oral dryness is sparse and it can be stated that improved standards for the reporting of diagnostic accuracy are needed in order to assure the methodological quality of studies. There is need for effective diagnostic criteria and functional tests in order to detect those individuals with oral dryness who may require oral treatment, such as alleviation of discomfort and/or prevention of diseases.

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“…The remaining 11 studies [4,32,35,38-42,45-47] described different methods for determining salivary hypofunction.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review of methods to diagnose oral dryness and salivary gland function

et al. 2012

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“…Previous studies that have shown patient-derived data tend to reflect the actual amount of saliva (29,32); however, it is accepted that potential differences can occur between what the patient reports and the actual measurement of saliva flow. It would not be feasible to measure saliva flow objectivity in every clinic, but a relatively simple measure is the time taken for the dissolution of a wafer (33). This could be included in further studies exploring xerostomia severity and the cutoff of the UW-QOL saliva domain in triggering intervention.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Xerostomia After Treatment for Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer Using the University of Washington Saliva Domain and a Xerostomia-Related Quality-of-Life Scale

Rogers

Johnson

Lowe

2010

International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics

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“…26 Like scintigraphy, the wafer test is a semiquantitative functional analysis method, employed in the initial diagnosis of salivary gland disorders. 27 Magnetic resonance (MR) provides excellent image contrast for soft tissues and spatial definition, with the advantage of not using ionizing radiation. 28 In sialography by MR, the saliva itself serves as contrast in obtaining the images.…”

Section: Diagnosis Of Salivary Dysfunctionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Salivary hypofunction: An update on aetiology, diagnosis and therapeutics

Saleh

Figueiredo

Cherubini

et al. 2015

Archives of Oral Biology

193

166

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The wafer test: a semi-quantitative test to screen for xerostomia

Abstract: The wafer test is valid and reliable for identifying subjects with xerostomia.

Cited by 32 publications

References 25 publications

A systematic review of methods to diagnose oral dryness and salivary gland function

A systematic review of methods to diagnose oral dryness and salivary gland function

Xerostomia After Treatment for Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer Using the University of Washington Saliva Domain and a Xerostomia-Related Quality-of-Life Scale

Salivary hypofunction: An update on aetiology, diagnosis and therapeutics

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