OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of psychological factors as mediators in the casual relationship between mouth dryness and oral health-related quality of life of adults and to explore gender differences in what psychological factors play an important role in mediating the path of mouth dryness to quality of life. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 321 adults who are above 20 and under 65 years of age. Collected data were analyzed via statistical packages using a multi-group analysis through the SEM (Structural Equation Model). RESULTS: Based on the statistical analysis, stress was a major psychological factor in male subjects. While depression served as a main mediator in female subjects. We discovered that the path coefficients of the following paths showed significant gender differences: mouth dryness --> depression, depression --> quality of life, stress --> quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: A gender-specific approach regarding effective prevention of stress and depression may be important for understanding the relationship between mouth dryness and quality of life.
Adult ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mouth* ; Negotiating* ; Oral Health* ; Psychology* ; Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Xerostomia*

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the degree of dry mouth and oral health-related quality of life and to identify factors contributing to oral health-related quality of life for community-dwelling elders. METHODS: A descriptive correlational study design was used. Participants were 156 older adults from two senior welfare centers. Data were collected on February 21, 22 and 29, 30, 2009 using structured questionnaires. Enter type multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing oral health-related quality of life according to general and oral health characteristics. RESULTS: There were significant differences in oral health-related quality of life according to living arrangement, insurance, smoking, number of natural teeth, and denture type. The oral health-related quality of life had significant correlations with the number of chronic disease, number of medications, and dry mouth. Factors influencing oral health-related quality of life for community-dwelling older adults were dry mouth, number of chronic disease, and medical aid, which explained about 47.9% of total variance. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that in order to promote oral health-related quality of life for older adults, prevention or management of chronic diseases as well as oral health and dry mouth are needed for this population, and especially economically poor elders.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Dentures ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Oral Health ; Personal Satisfaction ; *Quality of Life ; Questionnaires ; Regression Analysis ; Smoking ; Xerostomia/*psychology

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is defined as the xerostomia, burning sensation and various discomfort of tongue and oral mucosa. BMS can occur in both men and women, but is more frequent in middle-aged menopausal women. Because exact cause can't be identified clearly and it is hard to make diagnosis in clinic, the purpose of the treatment have been to relieve symptoms. Etiology of BMS is divided into local, systemic, and psychological factors. α-lipoic acid, clonazepam, supplemental therapy and cognitive behavior therapy can be prescribed for BMS. Nowdays, many experts focus attention on effect of combination therapy. It is necessary to solve the symptoms of the patients by combination of pharmacological approach and psychotherapy with cognitive behavior therapy considering the factors in various aspects.
Burning Mouth Syndrome ; Burns ; Clonazepam ; Cognitive Therapy ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mouth Mucosa ; Psychology ; Psychotherapy ; Sensation ; Tongue ; Xerostomia