Managing Burning Mouth Syndrome with Omega-3 Fatty Acids: A Clinical Trial of Pain Relief and Quality of Life Improvement
Introduction: An inexplicable burning sensation in the oral mucosa is the hallmark of Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS), a chronic illness that is often connected to inflammatory and neuropathic processes. Materials and Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study including 120 individua...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_339_25 |
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| Summary: | Introduction:
An inexplicable burning sensation in the oral mucosa is the hallmark of Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS), a chronic illness that is often connected to inflammatory and neuropathic processes.
Materials and Methods:
A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study including 120 individuals with a BMS diagnosis was carried out. Over the course of 12 weeks, participants were randomized to receive either a placebo or 2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) daily. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to quantify the change in pain intensity, which was the main result. Secondary outcomes were patient-reported symptom alleviation and quality of life as measured by the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14).
Results:
In total, 110 out of the 120 individuals finished the study. When compared to the placebo group, the omega-3 group’s VAS pain ratings significantly decreased (mean change: -3.4 vs. -1.2, P < 0.001). Additionally, the omega-3 group saw considerably higher improvements in quality of life, with a mean decrease in OHIP-14 ratings of -8.7 points compared to -3.1 in the placebo group (P < 0.001). In the omega-3 group, most patients experienced moderate to total symptom alleviation (82% vs. 45%, P < 0.001). The omega-3 group had higher gastrointestinal pain, although adverse effects were generally moderate.
Conclusion:
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation significantly reduces pain and improves quality of life in patients with BMS, providing a safe and effective alternative to conventional treatments. |
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| ISSN: | 0976-4879 0975-7406 |