Effect of Chewing Gum on Xerostomia, Thirst and Interdialytic Weight Gain in Patients on Hemodialysis

Background: Hemodialysis is a method for extracorporal removing waste products such as creatinine and urea, as well as free water from the blood when the kidneys are in renal failure. Xerostomia is a frustrating symptom for patients on hemodialysis; mechanisms that contribute to its development include low saliva flow. An increased intake of fluids secondary to xerostomia in patients on hemodialysis will result in excessive interdialytic weigh gain. Increased mastication, in the form of gum-chewing, can increase flow rates, especially in those with low salivary function, decrease Xerostomia, thirst and interdialytic Weight. Aim of the study: to examine the effect of using sugar-free chewing gum on xerostomia, thirst and interdialytic weight gain (IWG) in patients on hemodialysis. Subjects and Methods: The research design: used is a quasi-experimental Setting: Hemodialysis unit at Ain – Shams University Specialized Hospital. Subjects: Consecutive 60 patients were randomly allocated to study and control groups, 30 subjects each. Tools of data collection: The following tools were used to collect data 1Data Collection Sheet to assess socio demographic data, dry weight. 2Xerostomia Inventory (XI) to quantify the perceived xerostomia 3Dialysis Thirst Inventory (DTI) to identify the occurrence of thirst. 4Interdialytic Weight Gain (IWG) to measure the body weight during dialysis session. 5Salivary Flow Rates Scale: Designed for measurement of saliva rates. Results: the result of the study was most prevalent age (<50) years in study and control group (60.0% & 53.3% respectively), there is a decrease in xerostomia, thirst and interdialytic weight gain from 4.6±0.6,4.3±0.6 and 4.4±1.2 to1.8±0.8, 1.9±0.7 and 1.8±0.7 (respectively) through sixth sessions. Also there is an increase in salivary flow rate (ml) from 0.4±0.1 to 0.8±0.2 in study group. While in control group there is an increase in xerostomia, thirst and interdialytic weight gain from 3.3±0.7, 2.3±1.1and 1.8±0.5 to 4.0±0.9, 4.4±0.8 and 3.0±1.5 (respectively) through sixth sessions. Also there is a decrease in salivary flow rate (ml) from 0.5±0.2 to 0.4±0.2 through sixth sessions. Conclusion: We conclude that the use of chewing gum alleviate thirst, xerostomia, significantly decreases interdialytic weight gain and increase salivary flow rate in HD patients. Recommendation: The study was highly recommended the use of chewing gum by patient undergoing hemodialysis for its significant in decreasing thirst, xerostomia, interdialytic weight gain and increase salivary flow rate in HD patients. [Hanan Said and Hanan Mohammed. Effect of Chewing Gum on Xerostomia, Thirst and Interdialytic Weight Gain in Patients on Hemodialysis. Life Sci. J 2013;10(2):1767-1777]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 249