Psychogenic factors in the aetiology of stomatopyrosis

Abstract

This research has been conducted on the basis of the association between a psychogenic factor and stomatopyrosis as its consequence. Stomatopyrosis is characterized as a burning sensation or as pain in the mouth cavity with clinically normal oral mucosa. It typically occurs with elderly female population, aged on average 67. Burning mouth as a symptom occurs primarily on the lips, although it may be located on some other sites on the oral mucosa. There are various etiological factors influencing the emergence of stomatopyrosis. They are divided into local factors, related to candidiasis, dysfunction, problems caused by dentures; systemic factors, with hormonal or immunological disturbance, medicines, etc; and, finally, psychogenic factors, characterised by various psychological states and conditions like depression, anxiety, adaptability and emotional stability. The objective of this research was to prove that psychogenic factors cause the burning mouth syndrome sensation. Methods which helped us to establish the link between psychogenic factors and the emerging of stomatopyrosis were general history of the respondents, clinical history, which included both objective and subjective assessment, and psychological rating scales and tests. The results have shown that sex of the respondents does not make any difference. Diagnosis of the oral disease shows that burning is the symptom as well as in the diagnosis of the disease, that localisation of the symptom is primarily on lips, followed by tongue, cheeks, and palate. The description of the symptoms shows that respondents with stomatopyrosis complain of burning and dryness in the mouth cavity. As far as the intensity of the symptom is concerned, the results have shown that the symptom is in most cases unbearable. The frequency of the occurrence of the symptoms said to be continuous. The typical time when the symptom occurs is daytime, followed, by night and evening, day and night. Tension dentures and hot food intensify the symptom. Subjective change in taste is present in the high percentage. Visual analogue scale shows a high degree subjective assessment of the symptoms in the mouth cavity. Thermoestesiometry has established that there are no pathological changes on the oral mucosa. Psychological rating scales and tests have established the presence of psychical changes in a high percentage. What we took into account were the most frequent changes: depression, anxiety, adaptability and emotional stability. We also established a systematic and a psychiatric diagnosis that was necessary for making the right choices when treating people with stomatopyrosis. Stomatopyrosis is the state whose factor, apart from local and systematic factors, may be psychogenic factor. We think that stymatopyrosis may be psychosomatic state that can be cured or treated by appropriate treatment, which includes psychiatric treatment as well.