구강작열감증후군 환자의 전기미각역치

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the difference in electrical taste threshold between Burning Mouth Syndrome(BMS) patients and normal controls by using an electrogustometer.

Materials and Methods: From April 1, 2020 to October 21, 2020, 38 BMS patients and 48 normal controls who visited Chosun University Dental Hospital were tested. Electrical taste threshold was measured at the tip, the lateral side, the dorsal surface, the circumvallate papillae area of tongue, and the soft palate. In addition, a simple psychological diagnostic test(Symptom Checklist-90-Revision, SCL-90-R) was conducted. The electrical taste threshold of the BMS patient group was compared with the control group according to the site, sex, age, elapsed time after menopause, and a feeling of mouth dryness. In BMS patient group, the electrical taste threshold was analyzed according to the symptom onset period, intensity of burning sensation and pain.

Results: 1. The electrical taste threshold of the BMS patient group was remarkably lower than that of the control group when it comes to the areas - the tip, lateral, and dorsal surface of tongue. 2. There was a statistical significance in the electrical taste threshold according to the site and the lowest value was shown at the tongue tip. 3. Comparing the electrical taste threshold of the BMS patient group with the control group within the same sex, statistical significance was observed in the tip, lateral side, and dorsal surface of tongue in women. 4. There was no statistical significance between BMS patient group and control group by age. 5. As a result of comparing both groups according to the elapsed time after menopause, statistical significance was observed in the tip and circumvallate papillae area of tongue in BMS patient group. 6. As a result of analyzing the electrical taste threshold according to the symptom onset period in the BMS patient group, statistical significance was observed only in the circumvallate papillae area of tongue. 7. There was no statistical significance in BMS patient group by visual analog scale(VAS). 8. There was no statistical significance in BMS patient group and control group by mouth dryness. 9. In BMS patient group and control group, statistical significance was observed only in the paranoid ideation as a result of SCL-90-R.

Conclusion: Comparing the electrical taste threshold between the BMS patient group and the control group by using various items, significant differences were statistically shown only in some items. Interestingly, the elapsed time after menopause and the symptom onset period were crucial in women.