Frequency of xerostomia in patients suffering from hepatitis B and C

ABSTRACT

The objective of the study was to assess the frequency of xerostomia in patients infected with hepatitis B and C presenting to the oral and maxillofacial surgery department of Rawal Institute of Health Sciences, Islamabad from October 2011 to February 2012. It was carried out as a prospective cross sectional study. All patients who gave the history of being infected with hepatitis B or C were included in the study. They were asked about the sensation of dryness of mouth and then were clinically evaluated for the presence of xerostomia by putting a mirror against the mucosa. Sticking of mirror to the mucosa was taken as a positive result. 38 patients presented to the oral surgery department, out of these, 6 were males and 32 females [15.3]. Eight [21.1%] had hepatitis B while 30 [78.9%] were suffering from hepatitis C. Xerostomia was seen in 8 [26.7%] patients with hepatitis C. None of the patients with hepatitis B presented with xerostomia. Chi Square test was used to analyze the association of xerostomia with therapy for hepatitis but no statistically significant association was observed [p>0.05]. Xerostomia may be a finding in patients with chronic liver disease and treating clinicians should be aware of it and should treat it to improve patients' quality of life