Mouths on fire: Drug-induced burning mouth syndrome

摘要

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is defined as a chronic orofacial pain syndrome, without evidence of mucosal lesions and other clinical signs of disease or laboratory abnormalities.1'2 It is also known as scalded mouth syndrome, glossody-nia, and stomatodynia.3 Patients with BMS complain of burning pain in the mouth, thirst, xerostomia, taste disturbances, and oral sensations of tingling or numbness.1-3 It is primarily the tongue that is affected, but symptoms may also involve the gums, palate, lips, insides of the cheeks, back of the mouth, and throat.1"3 Symptoms vary in intensity from mild to severe and are continually present but uncommon during sleep.2 According to a Canadian survey, the prevalence of BMS was estimated at 1.5%. The majority (75%) affected were women, and the median age was 50 years.