What is it about?
Among the most common problems in the elderly that could have a deleterious impact on their quality of life are salivary gland hypofunction (SGH), diabetes mellitus (DM), and the intake of drugs with adverse effects on salivary function. In the present study, the aim was to find the association of SGH with DM and drugs among the elderly in Karachi, Pakistan.
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Why is it important?
Although numerous studies were conducted at the international level to assess the effects of elevated blood sugar and drugs on salivary function in elderly people, to the best of our knowledge, the current study appears to be only study from Pakistan to investigate the association of diabetes and drugs with hyposalivation in the Pakistani elderly population.
Perspectives
Studies from Pakistan on salivary dysfunction are lacking, and the Pakistani elderly population is rapidly growing. As the aging population continues to expand, so does the number of diabetics. Concomitantly, SGH due to medical problems and medication might be affecting an increasing number of elderly Pakistanis.The data from this study can serve as a baseline for future studies on hyposalivation among the Pakistani elderly population. As a recommendation for the assessment of qualitative changes in saliva with regard to hyposalivation, future research should focus on the estimation of salivary minerals in elderly Pakistanis.
SAMEER SHAIKH
University of Hail
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Association of salivary gland hypofunction with diabetes mellitus and drugs among the elderly in Karachi, Pakistan, Journal of Investigative and Clinical Dentistry, January 2016, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/jicd.12209.
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