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Association Between Salivary Flow Rate and the Use of Systemic Medication Among 76-, 81-, and 86-year-old Inhabitants in Helsinki, Finland

Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, University of Kuopio, PB 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland

J.H. Meurman

Department of Preventive Dentistry and Cariology, University of Kuopio, PB 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland

A. Ainamo

Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, University of Kuopio, PB 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland

J.M. Nevalainen

Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, University of Kuopio, PB 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland

K.G. Schmidt-Kaunisaho

Department of Cariology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Mannerheimintie 172, 00300 Helsinki, Finland

P. Siukosaari

Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, University of Kuopio, PB 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland

J. Valvanne

Geriatric Unit, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland

T. Erkinjuntti

Geriatric Unit, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland

R. Tilvis

Geriatric Unit, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland

E. Makila

Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, University of Kuopio, PB 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland

The aim of this study was to examine salivary flow rate and its association with the use of medication in a representative sample of 76-, 81-, and 86-year-old subjects, totaling 368.

In this study, 23% (n = 80) of the subjects were unmedicated. From one to three daily medications were used by 47% (n = 168) and more than four medications by 30% (n = 104). The most commonly used medications were nitrates, digitalis or anti-arrhythmic drugs (47.7%), analgesics and antipyretics (32.6%), and diuretics (29.5%). The mean number used daily was significantly higher in 86-year-olds than in the two younger age groups (p < 0.01). No significant differences in this respect were found between genders.

Among the unmedicated subjects, 76-year-olds had significantly higher stimulated salivary flow rates than did the 81-year-olds (p < 0.05). Unmedicated women showed significantly lower unstimulated (p < 0.01) and stimulated flow rates than did men (p < 0.05).

Stimulated salivary flow rate was also significantly higher in the 76-year-old medicated subjects than in the medicated 86-year-old subjects (p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in unstimulated salivary flow rates among the three age groups. Medicated women showed significantly lower unstimulated salivary flow rates than men (p < 0.001), although the difference in stimulated saliva flow was not significant. A statistically significant difference in unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates was found between unmedicated persons and those who took from four to six, or more than seven, prescribed medications daily.

Journal of Dental Research, Vol. 71, No. 12, 1875-1880 (1992)
DOI: 10.1177/00220345920710120401


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