Comparison between burning mouth syndrome patients with and without psychological problems

Abstract

higher rates and greater severities of various types of oral symptoms

higher rates of stress-related symptoms

and greater difficulties in daily activities than those without psychological problems. Conclusions: BMS patients with psychological problems had higher rates and greater severities of various types of oral symptoms and more difficulties in daily activities than those without psychological problems.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare clinical and sociodemographic characteristics between burning mouth syndrome (BMS) patients with and without psychological problems. Methods: Of 644 patients with oral burning symptoms, 381 were classified as the primary type. Of these patients, 39 patients with psychological problems and 185 patients without psychological problems were selected by medical history and psychological profiles. Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, psychological profiles, and salivary flow rate were compared between the two groups. Results: No significant differences were found in the gender ratio, symptom duration, diurnal pattern of symptoms, flow rate of unstimulated whole saliva, and marital status between the groups. The patients with psychological problems showedsignificantly higher mean age, lower flow rate of stimulated whole saliva, and lower education level than those without psychological problems. The patients with psychological problems also showed higher rates of symptoms in most parts of the oral mucosal tissues