Changes in the vibration sensitivity and pressure pain thresholds in patients with burning mouth syndrome

<div><p>Objective</p><p>To investigate the presence of changes in vibration detection and pressure pain threshold in patients with burning-mouth syndrome (BMS).</p><p>Design of the study</p><p>Case-control study. The sample was composed of 30 volunteers, 15 with BMS and 15 in the control group. The pressure-pain threshold (PPT) and vibration-detection threshold (VDT) were examined. The clinical evaluation was complemented with the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) and Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories (BDI and BAI, respectively).</p><p>Results</p><p>BMS subjects showed a statistically significant higher PPT in the tongue (p = 0.002), right (p = 0.001) and left (p = 0.004) face, and a significant reduction of the VDT in the tongue (p = 0.013) and right face (p = 0.030). Significant differences were also found when comparing the PPT and the VDT of distinct anatomical areas. However, a significant interaction (group × location) was only for the PPT. BMS subjects also showed significantly higher levels of depression (p = 0.01), as measured by the BDI, compared to controls; and a significant inverse correlation between the VDT in the left face and anxiety levels was detected.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The study of somatosensory changes in BMS and its correlations with the clinical features as well as the levels of anxiety and depression expands current understanding of the neuropathic origin and the possible contribution of psychogenic factors related to this disease.</p></div

BDI in the BMS patients (above) and control group (below).

<p>BDI in the BMS patients (above) and control group (below).</p

BAI levels in the BMS patients (above) and control group (below).

<p>BAI levels in the BMS patients (above) and control group (below).</p

Pain variables in the group of BMS patients; N = number of participants, S.D. = standard deviation, Min. = minimum values, Max. = maximum values.

<p>Pain variables in the group of BMS patients; N = number of participants, S.D. = standard deviation, Min. = minimum values, Max. = maximum values.</p

Adjusted predictions considering PPT measures (log PPT) in each anatomical area (1 = tongue, 2 = right gingival mucosa of upper premolar region, 3 = left gingival mucosa of upper premolar region, 4 = right side of face, and 5 = left side of face) in the two groups.

<p>Bars represent 95% confidence intervals.</p

Scatter plot displaying direct correlation between McGill PRI (T) and DN4 scores.

<p>For visualization purposes, the line illustrates the trend of the relationship between the two variables.</p

Scatter plot displaying inverse correlation between McGill PPI and VAS.

<p>For visualization purposes, the line illustrates the trend of the relationship between the two variables.</p

Scatter plot displaying inverse correlation between BAI scores and VDT of left side of face.

<p>For visualization purposes, the line illustrates the trend of the relationship between the two variables.</p