Effectiveness of salivary stimulation using xylitol-malic acid tablets as coadjuvant treatment in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: early findings

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Besides dental erosion syndrome, other oral syndromes could benefit from the stimulation of salivary secretion, in patients with gastrooesophageal reflux disease (GORD). Our aims is evaluate the improvement of oral extraoesophageal manifestations in patients with GORD using xylitol–malic acid tablets to stimulate salivary secretion. Material and METHODS: The effectiveness of salivary stimulation using xylitol–malic acid tablets (as a supplement to omeprazole 40 mg/day) was assessed in a clinical trial (n = 14) lasting six months with patients with prior positive pH-metry, through GORD extra-oesophageal clinical signs, GerdQ and RDQ questionnaires, odontological variables, basal salivary secretion, stimulated salivary secretion, pH and buffer capacity, mucosal erythema index and dental wear. Statistics chi-square (Haberman post-hoc), ANOVA, and Mann-Whitney U; variables between visits were evaluated with McNemar’s Student’s t and Wilcoxon tests; p < 0.05. RESULTS: 100% of patients not taking xylitol–malic acid presented xerostomia, but only 14.3% of patients taking xylitol–malic acid (p < 0.01) did. The mean saliva-buffer capacity at the last visit for patients not taking xylitol–malic acid was 2.14 ± 0.38, versus 2.71 ± 0.49 for patients taking xylitol–malic acid (p < 0.05). Retro-sternal burning (p < 0.05), heartburn (p < 0.05) and regurgitation (p < 0.05) were also reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Xylitol-malic acid tablets improve quality of life among patients with GORD, by reducing dry mouth, increasing saliva buffering and reducing heartburn, retro-sternal burning and regurgitation

RESUMEN

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