AI Insight
Researchers developed and validated a 5-item self-reported scale called the Young Adult version of the Shortened Xerostomia Inventory (SXI-Y) to measure dry mouth symptoms in individuals aged 18 to 24. The scale demonstrated strong psychometric properties, including good internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = 0.817) and solid correlation with a global dry mouth measure. Higher xerostomia scores were associated with gum bleeding, oral pain, bad breath, prescription medication use, nicotine and cannabis use, reduced sleep, and higher stress levels.
Why it matters
The absence of validated dry mouth assessment tools for younger populations has left a meaningful gap in oral health research and clinical screening. This instrument could enable earlier identification of xerostomia in young adults and support investigation into understudied risk factors such as sleep deprivation and psychological stress.
by Benjamin W. Chaffee, Elizabeth T. Couch, Caroline Shiboski, Lindsay Till Hoyt, Alison K. Cohen, Jing Cheng
Objective
Xerostomia (dry mouth) is a common condition that negatively impacts life quality for adults of all ages. Yet, xerostomia has primarily been studied among older adults and populations at high risk of dry mouth, with no widely-available self-reported instrument to assess xerostomia accurately among younger populations. This study aimed to develop a brief xerostomia assessment tool specifically designed for young adults.
Methods
Students ages 18–24 at two California (USA) public universities (N = 278) completed a cross-sectional survey that included a 14-item xerostomia inventory, including new items and items previously tested among older adults. Using exploratory factor analysis and item response theory analysis, the inventory was reduced to a 5-item scale. Psychometric properties of the 5 items were examined. As further validity checks, associations were explored between scale sum scores and other oral health conditions and potential xerostomia risk indicators.
Results
A proposed 5-item Young Adult version of the Shortened Xerostomia Inventory (SXI-Y) had favorable psychometric properties in this population, including excellent internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = 0.817) and strong correlation with a global measure of dry mouth (polychoric correlation = 0.711). SXI-Y sum scores (overall mean = 7.3; median = 6; range: 5–18) were higher (indicating more severe xerostomia) among participants who reported gum bleeding, oral pain, and halitosis and those taking prescription medications, using nicotine or cannabis, and reporting less sleep and more stress.
Conclusions
In this study, a xerostomia measure tailored for young adults demonstrated stronger internal consistency and retained more item-level information than an earlier tool developed for older adults. Associations of xerostomia with sleep and stress merit further investigation, as does instrument testing in additional study populations.