Affiliation:
1. Division of Gerodontology and Removable Prosthodontics University Clinics of Dental Medicine, University of Geneva Geneva Switzerland
2. Division of Fixed Prosthodontics and Biomaterials University Clinics of Dental Medicine, University of Geneva Geneva Switzerland
3. Division of Geriatrics, Department of Rehabilitation and Geriatrics University Hospitals of Geneva Thônex Switzerland
Abstract
AbstractBackgroundHyposalivation is a highly prevalent condition in old persons.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess a novel tool for the diagnosis of hyposalivation using a sugar cube and to compare its reliability to other validated test methods.MethodsFive tests were performed: unstimulated salivary flow test by draining method (USFT), oral moisture device Mucus® (MCS), sugar cube test (SCT), stimulated salivary flow test by chewing gum (CG) and Saxon test (SX). The sugar cube test consisted in measuring the time needed to disintegrate a standard‐sized sugar cube N°4 (5.6 g) placed beneath the tongue. Bivariate correlation analyses were performed. ROC curve analysis and the Youden Index were used to determine the cut‐off value. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated according to the determined cut‐off point.ResultsA total of 121 participants were recruited, with an average age of 49.8 ± 18.2 years. The USFT was best correlated with the SCT. No correlation was found between SCT and the stimulated saliva tests (CG, SX) as well as the MCS test. According to the Youden index, 140 s is appropriate to diagnose hyposalivation. Sensitivity of .64 and specificity of .91 were found for SCT using USFT as gold standard. The mean subjective evaluation score of the SCT was 3.1 ± 1, significantly higher than USFT 2.6 ± 1.1 (p < .05).ConclusionsThe sugar cube test proved to be a useful method for assessing unstimulated salivation, reducing test execution time and causing less participant discomfort than the gold standard unstimulated salivary flow test.