Selected Physicochemical Properties of Saliva in Menopausal Women—A Pilot Study

Aleksandra Cydejko, Aida Kusiak, Magdalena Emilia Grzybowska, Barbara Kochańska, Jolanta Ochocińska, Adrian Maj and Dariusz Świetlik
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Aleksandra Cydejko: Department of Periodontology and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Medical University of Gdansk, Orzeszkowej 18 St, 80-204 Gdansk, Poland
Aida Kusiak: Department of Periodontology and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Medical University of Gdansk, Orzeszkowej 18 St, 80-204 Gdansk, Poland
Magdalena Emilia Grzybowska: Department of Gynecology, Gynecological Oncology and Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-214 Gdansk, Poland
Barbara Kochańska: Department of Conservative Dentistry, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-208 Gdansk, Poland
Jolanta Ochocińska: Department of Conservative Dentistry, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-208 Gdansk, Poland
Adrian Maj: Department of Periodontology and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Medical University of Gdansk, Orzeszkowej 18 St, 80-204 Gdansk, Poland
Dariusz Świetlik: Department of Biostatistics and Neural Networks, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-8

Abstract: The aim of this study was to estimate differences in selected physicochemical properties of saliva between menopausal and premenopausal women. Methods: The study population consisted of 9 menopausal women and 15 women of the control group. Laboratory tests included the determination of pH saliva, salivary flow rate, and concentrations of lactoferrin, lysozyme, immunoglobulin A, and ionized calcium. Results: Among menopausal women, statistically significant differences were observed in values of salivary flow rate and lysozyme and ionized calcium concentrations; however, no statistically significant differences for pH and concentrations of lactoferrin and immunoglobulin A were found. The salivary flow rate in the study group was significantly lower compared to that in premenopausal women. In relation to lysozyme, statistically significant differences were found between control group and menopausal women to the disadvantage of the latter. However, the concentration of ionized calcium in the saliva of menopausal women was distinctly higher than in the saliva of the control group. Conclusion: The saliva of menopausal women appeared significantly different from that of the control group. Differences in physicochemical parameters such as salivary flow rate and lysozyme and ionized calcium concentrations were observed. These differences in saliva properties observed in menopause can potentially affect the oral environment of women in this particular period, possibly increasing the risk of some pathological changes in the oral cavity and consequently indicating the need to take special care of this group of female patients in order to help them maintain proper oral health. Dentists and gynecologists should be aware of the problems associated with menopause and need to provide these women complete health care, including dental care as an integral part.

Keywords: menopausal women; saliva; ionized calcium; physicochemical properties of saliva (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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