Xerostomia correlates with pain sensitivity in burning mouth syndrome patients
Abstract Patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) often exhibit abnormal somatosensory function, and xerostomia is a common accompanying symptom. This study aimed to explore whether xerostomia is associated with pain sensitivity in patients with BMS. A total of 82 female patients with BMS were enr...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97048-6 |
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| author | Hongsen Zhao Shujun Ran Wenqian Huo Kang Gan Wenlu Li |
| author_facet | Hongsen Zhao Shujun Ran Wenqian Huo Kang Gan Wenlu Li |
| author_sort | Hongsen Zhao |
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| description | Abstract Patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) often exhibit abnormal somatosensory function, and xerostomia is a common accompanying symptom. This study aimed to explore whether xerostomia is associated with pain sensitivity in patients with BMS. A total of 82 female patients with BMS were enrolled, including 55 with xerostomia. The pressure pain threshold (PPT) on the tongue was measured via a digital pressure algometer. Pain sensitivity was assessed via the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ). Whole saliva flow rates were measured. The severity of xerostomia was evaluated via the Summated Xerostomia Inventory (SXI). Descriptive statistics were performed, along with chi-square tests, Pearson correlation analyses, and multiple linear regression analyses. There were no significant differences in the PPT or stimulated saliva flow rates between BMS patients with and without xerostomia (112 ± 53 vs. 129 ± 57, p = 0.5837; 1.55 ± 0.73 vs. 1.64 ± 0.62, p = 0.5837, respectively). BMS patients with xerostomia had significantly higher PSQ-minor scores (4.55 ± 1.36 vs. 3.93 ± 1.11, p = 0.0432 < 0.05). PSQ-minor scores were correlated with the duration of xerostomia (β = 0.399, p = 0.003) but not with the severity of xerostomia. Xerostomia had different effects on the two pain sensitivity dimensions in patients with BMS: there was no significant change in the experimentally obtained pain threshold, while the self-assessed suprathreshold pain intensity increased. |
| format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj-art-d75e559f20ff40cfa77b2e531e9b2db82025-08-20T02:17:47ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-011511710.1038/s41598-025-97048-6Xerostomia correlates with pain sensitivity in burning mouth syndrome patientsHongsen Zhao0Shujun Ran1Wenqian Huo2Kang Gan3Wenlu Li4Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityNational Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou UniversityDepartment of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityDepartment of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityAbstract Patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) often exhibit abnormal somatosensory function, and xerostomia is a common accompanying symptom. This study aimed to explore whether xerostomia is associated with pain sensitivity in patients with BMS. A total of 82 female patients with BMS were enrolled, including 55 with xerostomia. The pressure pain threshold (PPT) on the tongue was measured via a digital pressure algometer. Pain sensitivity was assessed via the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ). Whole saliva flow rates were measured. The severity of xerostomia was evaluated via the Summated Xerostomia Inventory (SXI). Descriptive statistics were performed, along with chi-square tests, Pearson correlation analyses, and multiple linear regression analyses. There were no significant differences in the PPT or stimulated saliva flow rates between BMS patients with and without xerostomia (112 ± 53 vs. 129 ± 57, p = 0.5837; 1.55 ± 0.73 vs. 1.64 ± 0.62, p = 0.5837, respectively). BMS patients with xerostomia had significantly higher PSQ-minor scores (4.55 ± 1.36 vs. 3.93 ± 1.11, p = 0.0432 < 0.05). PSQ-minor scores were correlated with the duration of xerostomia (β = 0.399, p = 0.003) but not with the severity of xerostomia. Xerostomia had different effects on the two pain sensitivity dimensions in patients with BMS: there was no significant change in the experimentally obtained pain threshold, while the self-assessed suprathreshold pain intensity increased.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97048-6Burning mouth syndromePain sensitivityXerostomiaPain sensitivity questionnairePressure pain threshold |
| spellingShingle | Hongsen Zhao Shujun Ran Wenqian Huo Kang Gan Wenlu Li Xerostomia correlates with pain sensitivity in burning mouth syndrome patients Scientific Reports Burning mouth syndrome Pain sensitivity Xerostomia Pain sensitivity questionnaire Pressure pain threshold |
| title | Xerostomia correlates with pain sensitivity in burning mouth syndrome patients |
| title_full | Xerostomia correlates with pain sensitivity in burning mouth syndrome patients |
| title_fullStr | Xerostomia correlates with pain sensitivity in burning mouth syndrome patients |
| title_full_unstemmed | Xerostomia correlates with pain sensitivity in burning mouth syndrome patients |
| title_short | Xerostomia correlates with pain sensitivity in burning mouth syndrome patients |
| title_sort | xerostomia correlates with pain sensitivity in burning mouth syndrome patients |
| topic | Burning mouth syndrome Pain sensitivity Xerostomia Pain sensitivity questionnaire Pressure pain threshold |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97048-6 |
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