The aim of this study was to examine salivary flow rate and its
association with the use of medication in a representative sample of
76-, 81-, and 86-year-old subjects, totaling 368. In this study, 23% (n =
80) of the subjects were unmedicated. From one to three daily
medications were used by 47% (n = 168) and more than four medications by
30% (n = 104). The most commonly used medications were nitrates,
digitalis or anti-arrhythmic drugs (47.7%), analgesics and antipyretics
(32.6%), and diuretics (29.5%). The mean number used daily was
significantly higher in 86-year-olds than in the two younger age groups
(p < 0.01). No significant differences in this respect were found
between genders. Among the unmedicated subjects, 76-year-olds had
significantly higher stimulated salivary flow rates than did the
81-year-olds (p < 0.05). Unmedicated women showed significantly lower
unstimulated (p < 0.01) and stimulated flow rates than did men (p
< 0.05). Stimulated salivary flow rate was also significantly higher
in the 76-year-old medicated subjects than in the medicated 86-year-old
subjects (p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were
found in unstimulated salivary flow rates among the three age groups.
Medicated women showed significantly lower unstimulated salivary flow
rates than men (p < 0.001), although the difference in stimulated
saliva flow was not significant. A statistically significant difference
in unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates was found between
unmedicated persons and those who took from four to six, or more than
seven, prescribed medications daily