The use of Schirmer strips to measure salivary and lacrimal flow in non-Sjögren patients.

INTRODUCTION: Oral and ocular dryness are the most common symptoms reported during ophthalmological and dental examinations. It is becoming a serious and growing problem due to the huge variety of affecting factors and with population aging. OBJECTIVES: The purpose was to demonstrate an application of the Schirmer test for xerostomia. Subsequently, to compare and correlate the results achieved from the lacrimal Schirmer test and salivary Schirmer test in non-Sjögren patients. METHODS: Study group consisted of 642 patients with/without subjective or/and objective symptoms of dry eye or mouth who did not fulfill the criteria for diagnosis of Sjögren syndrome. The lacrimal Schirmer test (lST) and the salivary Schirmer tests (sST) were performed (sSTm was put on the floor of the mouth, sSTp in front of the parotid gland duct). The results were recorded after 1 min (sSTm), 3 min (sSTp), and 5 min (lST). RESULTS: The lST and sST test scores were considerably higher in the healthy group than in others, p < 0.001. The results of sST1 and sST2 decreased with the appearance of subjective and objective symptoms, p < 0.001. There were positive correlations between lST and sSTm outcomes between the groups, p < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: We present the Schirmer test adapted to measure salivary gland hypofunction that is a time-saving tool in our daily practice. Results of this study reveal an excellent correlation between the eye Schirmer test and the salivary Schirmer tests. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The salivary Schirmer tests seem to be rapid, convenient, and reliable objective screening tools for salivary gland hypofunction in non-Sjögren patients.

Subjective Complaints of Ocular Dryness and Xerostomia Among the Non-Sjögren Adult Population of Lublin Region, Poland.

BACKGROUND Eye and mouth dryness are the most common symptoms reported during ophthalmological and dental examinations, and their frequency increases with age. In connection with population aging and the huge variety of factors and conditions that can induce this condition, it is becoming a serious and growing problem. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether ocular dryness and concomitant xerostomia is associated with particular systemic diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS We enrolled 642 non-Sjögren patients referred for examination to the ophthalmology or dental clinic of Lublin region, Poland. The research was conducted using a standardized interview: The Interview and Examination Questionnaire. All patients responded to the survey questions, which concerned systemic diseases, lifestyle, with special emphasis on computer work, spending time in polluted and air-conditioned rooms, and subsequent questions about the subjective symptoms of ocular and mouth dryness. RESULTS There were 424 patients who presented signs and symptoms of both ocular and mouth dryness. Our study showed a statistically significant association between this condition and the age and sex of the patients and systemic diseases such as hypertension (p=0.0000), cardiovascular disease (p=0.057), and stress (p=0.036), and time spent at the computer (p=0.00015). CONCLUSIONS Ocular dryness and concomitant xerostomia may occur in apparently healthy individuals, but is more frequent in patients with systemic disorders. The lack of dry eye and dry mouth symptoms does not exclude insufficient tearing and salivation; thus, the disorders are usually underestimated. Our study indicates that ocular and mouth dryness are the most common conditions seen in out-patients, due to increased use of medications, computers, and air conditioning.