Preferences of Sjögren’s syndrome patients regarding potential new saliva substitutes

Zainab Assy*, Floris J. Bikker, Esra Mashhour, Mina Asadi, Henk S. Brand

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Objectives: Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) patients should be involved in the development of new saliva substitutes at an early stage. The purpose of the current study was to explore the preferences of these patients regarding various product characteristics of potential new saliva substitutes. Material and method: A questionnaire was distributed among SS patients. They could anonymously indicate their preferences for saliva substitute characteristics using 5-point Likert scales. Results: Fifty-nine SS patients filled in the questionnaire. According to their opinion, the most ideal saliva substitute has a thin-watery consistency with a neutral flavour that should be applied as a spray. Patients demand a prolonged alleviation of dry mouth complaints and neutralization of harmful bacteria. The patients mainly object against the presence of artificial sweeteners and alcohol in saliva substitutes, but have limited objections against the presence of vegetable-based ingredients and natural enzymes. Major objections were against the potential side effects “bitter taste” and “discoloration of teeth”. Age and severity of xerostomia affected desire of flavours. Younger patients preferred menthol flavour, while respondents with severe xerostomia preferred the use of “neutral flavours” significantly more. Conclusion: The most ideal saliva substitute has thin-watery consistency in spray form with a neutral flavour and providing long alleviation of dry mouth complaints. Besides, it should not contain artificial sweeteners or alcohol, and should not have a bitter taste or cause discoloration of the teeth. Clinical relevance: Investigating the opinion of SS patients provides tailoured insights into their preference, which may contribute to the development of more effective saliva substitutes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6245-6252
Number of pages8
JournalClinical Oral Investigations
Volume26
Issue number10
Early online date11 Jun 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Z. Assy has received an unrestricted research grant from the Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Tandheelkunde (NTVT) with grant number OZB2018.01.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).

Funding

Z. Assy has received an unrestricted research grant from the Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Tandheelkunde (NTVT). F.J. Bikker declares that he has no conflict of interest, E. Mashhour declares that she has no conflict of interest, M. Asadi declares that she has no conflict of interest, and H.S. Brand declares that he has no conflict of interest. Z. Assy has received an unrestricted research grant from the Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Tandheelkunde (NTVT) with grant number OZB2018.01. We thank the Dutch Sjögren Patients Federation (Dutch: Nederlandse Vereniging van Sjögren Patiënten) for their assistance in distributing the questionnaire among their members.

FundersFunder number
Dutch Sjögren Patients Federation
Nederlands Tijdschrift voor TandheelkundeOZB2018.01
Nederlandse Vereniging van Sjögren Patiënten

    Keywords

    • Dry mouth
    • Ingredients
    • Patient preferences
    • Saliva substitutes
    • Sjögren’s syndrome
    • Xerostomia

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