Reporte preliminar sobre el efecto de un sustituto salival a base de manzanilla (Matricaria chamomilla) y linaza (Linum usitatissimum) en el alivio de la xerostomía en adultos mayores

Introduction

Xerostomia is a common chronic health condition that affects a great number of elderly people. Palliative treatment, such as salivary substitutes should be used, but these products are not accessible in the Chilean market.

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of a new Chamomile and linseed based saliva substitute in the reduction of xerostomía-associated symptomatology in elderly people.

Methodology

Forty elderly subjects presenting with xerostomia of various origins were selected. Chamomile and linseed based saliva substitute and a carboxymethylcellulose based conventional artificial saliva were tested using a double-blind, randomized, cross-over clinical trial with an intervining wash out period.

Results

All (100%) of subjects had a sensation of dry mouth, and 58.8% mentioned a sensation of thick saliva, 52.9% needed to drink liquids to swallow, and with a sensation of swallowing difficulty. Burning tongue sensation was recorded in 23.5% of the patients. The most frequent pathologies in the sample were arterial hypertension and arthritis. Results of the clinical tests showed that Chamomile and linseed based saliva substitute significantly relieves the sensation of dry mouth and the sensation of thick saliva (Wilcoxon test P < .05).

Conclusion

New chamomile and linseed based saliva substitute was effective in relieving xerostomia symptoms in elderly people, and could improve the quality of life of population affected by this condition.