The aim of the present study was to assess xerostomia through the XI and determine the associated variables in patients on chronic hemodialysis.
We studied 75 HD patients. Demographic, clinical (renal disease, HD regimen/duration, Charlson Comorbidity Index, activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, BMI) and laboratory (haemoglobin, albumin, Interleukin-6, parathyroid hormone) parameters were recorded. We assessed the appetite through the Hemodialysis (HEMO) Study Appetite questionnaire and xerostomia through the Xerostomia Inventory (XI). A single question (how often does your mouth feel dry?; never, Class1; almost never, Class 2; occasionally, Class 3; often, Class 4; very often, Class 5) was also included in the study questionnaire separate from the eleven XI items.
The median Xerostomia Inventory score was 18 (min-max= 11-13). Forty patients had a XI score ≤18 (Group 1) and 35 >18 (Group 2). In Group 2, age, Charlson Comorbidity Index Score, and number of patients with poor/very poor appetite were significantly higher. Specifically, about the presence of dry mouth, 31 patients were in Class 1-2, 23 in Class 3 and 21 in Class 4-5. In the Class 3, age and the number of patients with poor/very poor appetite were higher (p=0.012 and 0.09, respectively). At the univariate analysis, the score of the XI was significantly associated with age, appetite, IADL, Charlson Comorbidity Index and serum IL-6 levels. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the XI was independently associated with age and appetite.
Xerostomia is associated with old age and poor appetite in patients on chronic hemodialysis. If confirmed by adequate, longitudinal studies, these results may stimulate to routinely assess HD patients for the presence of xerostomia and to design trials aimed to evaluate the effect of the reduction of xerostomia in preventing and treating poor appetite.
