ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the anxiety and depression symptoms of burning mouth syndrome (BMS), and to explore risk factors to BMS.Method:In this case-control study,147 patients with BMS and 140 sex-and age-matched healthy volunteers were recruited.Three questionnaires were used to collect information of psychical and mental condition.The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS)and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS)were applied to evaluate symptoms of anxiety and depression.The scores of SAS and SDS were statistically analyzed by t-test.The risk factors of BMS were statistically analyzed by Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis.Result:The scores of SAS and SDS were higher in the patients with BMS than in the controls [SAS:(44.4 ±9.9)vs. (35.7 ±6.2);SDS:(48.1 ±11.6)vs.(37.5 ±8.9)].The risk factors of BMS included ischemic stroke (OR =4.46,95%CI:1.87 -10.95),low level of education (OR =1.91,95%CI:1.04 -3.49),anxiety symptom (OR =8.12,95%CI:2.60 -25.37)and depression symptom (OR =2.57,95%CI:1.26 -5.27).Conclusion:BMS is a multi-factorial disease.It indicates that ischemic stroke,lower level of education,anxiety symptom and depression symptom are the risk factors of BMS.A positive association could be established between psychological alterations and BMS.According to these findings it can be assumed that mental factors should be taking into account in the etiologyof BMS.It should be advocated to treat BMS patients by psychotherapy.