Association between Multiple Oral Complaints and Menopausal Symptoms: An Observational Study

Author(s): Masayo Yasuda, Kayoko Ito, Kaname Nohno, Kiyoshi Takamatsu, Mariko Ogawa, Saori Funayama, Makoto Inoue

Background: Oral discomfort symptoms such as xerostomia, taste disturbance, and burning sensation occasionally appear simultaneously and may decrease quality of life (QOL). Multiple oral complaints (MOC) may be associated with decreasing levels of female hormones. However, there has been little research to elucidate the relationship between MOC and menopausal symptoms. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the characteristics of participants who complained of xerostomia, taste disturbance, burning sensation, and MOC, and to discuss the association between MOC and menopausal symptoms, using a web-based survey system.

Methods: This study comprised 372 Japanese women aged 20-79 years. Participants completed questionnaires covering their experience of xerostomia, taste disturbance, burning sensation, menopausal symptoms, and QOL. A univariate analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between the presence of xerostomia, taste disturbance, burning sensation, and MOC, and each evaluation item. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with MOC.

Results: Xerostomia was the most frequent complaint (39.4%), followed by taste disturbance (16.2%) and burning sensation (9.2%). Nineteen participants (5.1%) had MOC. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the number of menopausal symptoms was associated with xerostomia, taste disturbance, burning sensation, and MOC.

Conclusion: This study suggested that multiple oral complaints are related to menopausal symptoms. When treating xerostomia, taste disturbance, and burning sensation, related factors including menopausal symptoms should be considered, which could help improve patients’ QOL.

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