Management of Xerostomia in Older Patients: A Randomised Controlled Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of a New Oral Lubricant Solution

Background: Xerostomia is a subjective sensation of mouth dryness that may frequently occur in older patients. 

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy and acceptability of a new oxygenated glycerol triester (OGT) oral spray taken five times daily with that of a commercially available saliva substitute (Saliveze®) in the treatment of xerostomia. 

Methods: Forty-one institutionalised patients (28 women, 13 men; mean age 84 ± 7 years) were randomly assigned to receive either OGT or Saliveze® in a 2-week, randomised, parallel-group study. Clinical assessment of xerostomia included evaluation of mouth dryness using a self-rated, 10cm long visual analogue scale (VAS), objective assessment of oral tissue condition using a four-point ordinal scale and subjective assessment of symptoms of xerostomia using dichotomous responses to a questionnaire. The primary endpoint was the day (D) 14 patient-based mouth dryness score measured on a self-rated VAS. 

Results: At D14, OGT resulted in significantly greater efficacy with respect to mouth dryness (mean between-treatment difference 2.1 ± 0.1, 95% CI 1.9, 2.3; p = 0.001), swallowing difficulty (1.8 ± 0.3, 95% CI 1.5, 2.1; p = 0.001), speech difficulty (1.1 ± 0.2, 95% CI 1.0, 2.4; p = 0.04) and overall sensation of symptom relief (2.7 ± 1.2, 95% CI 1.9, 3.8; p = 0.001). Objective assessment of oral tissues also showed significantly better improvement with OGT spray with respect to dryness (p = 0.01), stickiness (p = 0.005) and dullness (p = 0.001) of oral mucosa; severity of mucositis (p = 0.01); and thickening of the tongue (p = 0.03). A significant difference in taste acceptability was also noted in favour of OGT (1.4 ± 0.6, 95% CI 1.2, 1.9; p = 0.04).

Conclusion: OGT lubricant oral spray was superior to Saliveze® in improving xerostomia and oral tissue condition in older institutionalised patients.