Oral health-related quality of life and associated factors in patients with burning mouth syndrome

Objective The purpose of this study was to assess oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and to identify clinical factors associated with OHRQoL. Methods Fifty-seven patients with BMS (56.4 +/- 10.7 years) participated in the study. Patients underwent oral examination, laboratory tests, psychological evaluation, measurement of salivary flow rates and evaluation of clinical characteristics using a BMS questionnaire. The OHRQoL of patients was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Results The OHIP-14 score for patients with BMS was 38.6 +/- 12.8. Patients had higher scores for the psychological discomfort and physical pain dimensions of the OHIP-14. The intensity of taste disturbance or xerostomia symptoms (beta = 0.464, P < .001), worry about symptoms (beta = 0.307, P = .020), and results of psychological evaluation (beta = 0.311, P = .026) were significantly associated with OHIP-14 score. Multiple linear regression showed that the intensity of taste disturbance or xerostomia symptoms was significantly associated with decreased OHRQoL (beta = 0.637, P = .026). Conclusions This study suggests that severity of taste disturbance or xerostomia is an important factor that influences OHRQoL in patients with BMS.