Relationship between Levels of Salivary Cortisol and Presence of Xerostomia in Postmenopausal Women – A Comparative Study

Abstract

Introduction: Saliva is a mucoserous exocrine secretion produced by three pairs of major salivary glands as well the minor salivary glands. A low salivary flow rate leads to oral discomfort including dry mouth and burning sensation in many elderly individuals, especially menopausal women.

Objective: To compare the stimulated and unstimulated whole salivary cortisol levels of menopausal women with xerostomia.

Methods: A case-control study was carried out on 240 selected post-menopausal women with/without feeling of xerostomia. Xerostomia Inventory score was used as an index of dry mouth severity. Stimulated and unstimulated whole saliva cortisol concentration was measured by ELISA. Results: Statistical analysis by Student’s t‐test and Pearson correlation was used.The mean cortisol concentration, XI grade and XS criteria showed no significant difference in case group whereas mean value of stress score showed highly significant difference. The XI grade, stress score and salivary cortisol concentration showed highly significant difference in the control group and Xerostomia Selection Criteria showed no statistically significant difference.

Conclusion: From present study we conclude that there is no significant difference in salivary cortisol level in stimulated and unstimulated salivary case group with a subjective feeling of dry mouth than in control group.