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Pilocarpine and artificial saliva for the treatment of xerostomia and xerophthalmia in Sjögren syndrome: a double‐blind randomized controlled trial
Author(s) -
Cifuentes M.,
Del BarrioDíaz P.,
VeraKellet C.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/bjd.16442
Subject(s) - pilocarpine , xerophthalmia , saliva , medicine , dry mouth , artificial tears , adverse effect , randomized controlled trial , gastroenterology , surgery , vitamin a deficiency , vitamin , retinol , psychiatry , epilepsy
Summary Background Sjögren syndrome ( SS ) is associated with xerostomia and xerophthalmia. Pilocarpine has been shown to stimulate the secretion of saliva. Objectives To investigate and compare the efficacy of pilocarpine and artificial saliva as symptomatic treatments for xerostomia and xerophthalmia in patients with SS . Methods A double‐blind randomized controlled study was performed. A total of 72 patients with SS were assigned randomly to receive 10 drops of pilocarpine (5 mg) or 10 drops of artificial saliva orally, three times daily for 12 weeks. Whole saliva and tear flow were evaluated at baseline and periodically throughout the study to provide a global assessment of dryness and to report any adverse effects. Results Patients receiving pilocarpine had a statistically significant improvement in their salivary flow ( P < 0·001), lacrimal flow ( P < 0·001) and their subjective global assessment ( P < 0·001), compared with patients who received artificial saliva. The most common side‐effects were sialorrhoea and nausea. Conclusions Pilocarpine is more effective than artificial saliva for enhancing salivary and lacrimal secretion in patients with SS . This is the first study to compare the efficacy of pilocarpine and artificial saliva for the treatment of xerostomia and xerophthalmia in SS .