2%); and the pain usually had a spontaneous start (48–40.8%). The mean duration of pain was 5.95 ± 6.60 months (range from 0 to 30 months). The diagnoses of orofacial pain are outlined in Table 1. In the study group, a higher frequency of TMD (P = 0.001), worse quality of mastication (P < 0.001), higher frequency of fatigue in the face (P = 0.047) and higher pain in mandibular movements (P = 0.015), as well as in facial (P < 0.001) and neck palpation (P = 0.002), were observed ( Table 2). The groups did not differ in parafunctional habits, complaints of pain whilst awakening, articular noises and headache. The dental exam (use of

dental prosthesis, dental occlusion, periodontal, teeth, tongue and mucosa characteristics)

did not show statistical differences between the groups; however, mastication complaints were more frequent in the study group (P = 0.002). SGI-1776 in vitro The differences with regard to xerostomia and associated complaints can be observed in Table 3. The study group presented more discomfort at the oral cavity, abnormal saliva, dry-mouth sensation, difficulty of chewing due to xerostomia, loss of taste due to xerostomia, change in the taste of food, need of liquids to swallow, avoiding food due to xerostomia, use of drinks other than Selleck Small molecule library water during the day, dry-eyes’ sensation, burning sensation at the mouth, sensation of secretion at the throat, throat pain, avoiding the use of dentures, difficulty in the use dentures at night due to xerostomia and burning at stomach. There were no differences between the groups in relation to: difficulty in swallowing saliva, difficulty in

talking due to xerostomia, dry-mouth sensation during meals, need for drinking water during the night or chewing gum or eating sweets due to dry-mouth sensation, number of glasses of water during the day, abnormal taste, bad breath, sensation of dry vagina in women, sensation of dry skin, sensation of dry nose, stuffy nose, normal function of the intestines, quality of digestion or difficulties with digestion. It was also observed that the salivary flow in patients was lower when compared with the controls (P = 0.008) ( GSK-3 inhibitor Fig. 1). No correlations were observed amongst the variables. The patients who used medications (antidepressants and/or anti-hypertensive drugs) complained more about dry mouth (P = 0.007); however, it was not associated with a reduced salivary flow (P = 0.338). The doses of medications were not investigated. This study showed that patients with orofacial pain had lower salivary flow and more complaints of xerostomia than controls. These complaints included abnormalities in mastication, difficulties in wearing prostheses and discomfort and pain in the oral mucosa and the gastroenteric tract. Saliva may be playing a role in these findings as a consequence of or a co-existing factor with chronic orofacial pain.