Evaluation of select neurophysiological, clinical and psychological tests for burning mouth syndrome

Objective. The objective of this study was to identify, among an array of potential risk factors for burning mouth syndrome (BMS), those that are potentially the most significant in the development of the disease. Study Design. Sixty-three participants, divided into group I (with BMS: 33 patients ages 41 to 82 years [mean age: 61.5 +/- 9.4]) and group II (without BMS: 30 healthy volunteers ages 42-83 years [mean age: 60.5 +/- 10.5]) were studied. All underwent a dental examination and psychological tests. Neurological tests (neurophysiological test, electroneurography, and tests of the autonomic nervous system) were performed. Mean parameters were analyzed by Student t test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and chi(2) test, and multifactor analysis was performed with logistic regression and by calculating the odds ratio. Results. In the logistic regression test, 3 factors were significant in the etiopathogenesis of BMS: a value more than 39 mu V for the amplitude of the positive peak of the potential induced by stimulating the trigeminal nerve on the left side (P2-L); a value above 5.96 ms for the latency of wave V of the brainstem auditory evoked potentials on the right side (V-R); and a value over 2.35 ms for the latency of the sensory ulnar nerve response. Conclusions. The BMS sufferer was characterized as having mild sensory and autonomic small fiber neuropathy with concomitant central disorders. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2012;114:325-332)