The Xerostomia Inventory: a multi-item approach to measuring dry mouth
Date
1999
Authors
Thomson, W.
Chalmers, J.
Spencer, A.
Williams, S.
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Journal article
Citation
Community Dental Health, 1999; 16(1):12-17
Statement of Responsibility
W. Murray Thomson, Jane M . Chalmers, A. John Spencer and Sheila M . Williams
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Abstract
Objective: To develop a valid multi-item method of measuring the symptoms of xerostomia which includes the wide range of xerostomia symptoms in a single quantitative measure. Design: A combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. Setting A cohort study in South Australia. Participants: Older people aged 65 years or more who were taking part in the South Australian Dental Longitudinal Study. Measures: Xerostomia symptoms were evaluated using a multi-item inventory format and, for comparison pulposes, a standard single dry-mouth question. Resting whole-salivary flow rate was estimated using the 'spit' method. Results: Xerostomia and flow-rate data were available for 636 individuals. Factor analysis revealed the presence of a discrete xerostomia dimension, represented by l1 items whose responses were summated to give a single Xerostomia Inventory (XI) scale score. This had a very low correlation with resting flow rate but a much stronger, positive correlation with the standard dry-mouth question responses. Conclusions: The XI shows adequate content and concurrent validity, and appears to be a promising advance on previous approaches to xerostomia symptomatology although further testing is required.
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© BASCD 1999