Investigation of medicines with potential xerostomic effect used in institutionalized elderly

Resumo

Several factors affect the salivary flow and cause
xerostomia, i.e. aging, diets, radiation, various pathologies and
the use of drugs. Objective: This study aimed to investigate drugs
with potential xerostomic effect in institutionalized elderly patients.
Material and methods: 235 elderly were investigated, of both sexes,
of which 123 were women (52.3%) and 112 (47.7%) were men. In
addition to the gender and age, the use of medications containing
side effects of xerostomia/dry mouth/ hyposalivation or hyposialia was
investigated. Such drugs were separated according to their medical
area of expertise: Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Allergy, Neurology
and pulmonology Results: When investigated the amount of drugs
used for female patients, it was observed that 83 (67.5%) used up to
five drugs, 35 (28.4%) between 6 and 10 and medicines, and 5 (4.1%)
more than 10 drugs. When analyzed the amount of drugs used for
male patients, it was observed that 88(78.6%) used up to five drugs,
17 (15.2%) were between 6 and 10 7 medicines, and (6.2%) more than
10 drugs. By analyzing the drugs with xerostomic potential, we found
354 medicines. Among these, 181 (51.1%) were used in Neurology,
45 (12.7%) had been prescribed in Cardiology, 33 (9.2%) were used drugs
for allergic conditions, 80 (22.3%) were prescribed in gastroenterology
and 15 (4.3%) in pulmonology. Conclusion: It can be concluded that
many medications used to treat institutionalized elderly had xerostomic
potential effect, notably those used in Neurology. Polypharmacy is also
present, especially in the older age group.