Parotitis at the End-of-Life
Journal Title: Palliative Medicine & Hospice Care – Open Journal - Year 2017, Vol 3, Issue 1
Abstract
Saliva plays a key role in maintaining physiological homeostasis of the oral cavity and its estimated daily production is of about 500-600 mL /day.1 Xerostomia is defined as the subjective feeling of dry mouth caused either by changes in the saliva consistency, or by the acute reduction of its production, by 50% or more.2 Its prevalence varies among 14% and 72%,1 and it is most common in polymedicated elder patients, when in a state of dehydration and/or malnutrition. It is also associated to multiple comorbidities such as renal failure, hepatic failure, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus and depression.3 The use of drugs with anticholinergic and diuretic effects can lead to dehydration and to the consequent increase of the prevalence of xerostomia. The most commonly implicated drugs are antidepressants, anticholinergics, sedatives, antipsychotics, antiepileptic, anti-parkinson drugs and antihistamines, diuretics and antihypertensives.1,3,4 There are numerous secondary complications to xerostomia such as dysphagia, taste alterations, lesions of the oral mucosa, local pain and oropharyngeal infections.
Authors and Affiliations
Filipa Tavares Carreiro
Keywords
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- EP ID EP549339
- DOI 10.17140/PMHCOJ-3-121
- Views 144
- Downloads 0
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