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. 2020 Jun:65 Suppl 1:S67-S70.
doi: 10.1111/adj.12767.

Xerostomia: its prevalence and associations in the adult Australian population

Lisa M Jamieson  1 , William Murray Thomson  2
Affiliations
Free article

Xerostomia: its prevalence and associations in the adult Australian population

Lisa M Jamieson et al. Aust Dent J. 2020 Jun.
Free article

Abstract

Background: Little is known of the occurrence of dry mouth among Australians.

Aim: To describe the prevalence and associations of xerostomia in a nationally representative sample of Australian adults.

Methods: Dentate persons aged 15+ years were asked 'How often does your mouth feel dry?' (response options 'never', 'occasionally', 'frequently' or 'always'). Those responding 'frequently' or 'always' were classified as xerostomic.

Results: The prevalence of xerostomia was 13.2% (95% CI 12.4, 14.0). It ranged from 9.3% (95% CI 7.9, 10.8) among 15-to-34-year-old to 26.5% (95% CI 23.3, 30.0) among those aged 75+ years. Prevalence was higher in the lowest income tertiles (24.5%, 95% CI 22.6, 26.5), lowest SEIFA tertiles (15.7%, 95% CI 14.2, 17.3), those who were dentally uninsured (16.6%, 95% CI 15.4, 17.8) and those with unfavourable dental visiting patterns (18.1%, 95% CI 16.2, 20.1).

Conclusions: More than one in ten Australians experience dry mouth. Among older Australians, this estimate is one in four. With an ageing, medicated population that is increasing in size, xerostomia is a condition that needs to be better understood, recognized and managed by both dental and general health practitioners.

Keywords: Dental and medical management; dry mouth; national survey; older Australians; xerostomia.

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References

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    1. Benn AML, Broadbent JM, Thomson WM. Occurrence and impact of xerostomia among dentate adult New Zealanders: findings from a national survey. Aust Dent J 2015;60:362-367.

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