Therapeutic Dose of Amitriptyline for Older Patients with Burning Mouth Syndrome

Takayuki Suga,1 Miho Takenoshita,1 Takeshi Watanabe,1 Trang TH Tu,1 Lou Mikuzuki,1 Chaoli Hong,1 Kazuhito Miura,2 Tatsuya Yoshikawa,1 Takahiko Nagamine,3 Akira Toyofuku1 1Department of Psychosomatic Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan; 2Department of Gerodontology, Division of Oral Health Science, Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan; 3Department of Psychiatric Internal Medicine, Sunlight Brain Research Center, Yamaguchi, JapanCorrespondence: Akira ToyofukuDepartment of Psychosomatic Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8510, JapanTel/Fax +81 3 5803 5898Email toyoompm@tmd.ac.jpObjective: To assess the therapeutic dose and safety of amitriptyline and the outcome following treatment with amitriptyline among older patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS).Methods: 187 consecutive patients were prescribed amitriptyline as a first-line medication from April 2016 to September 2018 and followed-up for >1 month. Patients were divided into 3 groups: group 1, 113 patients aged <65 years; group 2, 52 patients aged between 65 and 74 years; and group 3, 22 patients aged 75 years or older. The visual analog scale (VAS), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Somatic Symptom Scale-8 (SSS-8), Patient GlobalImpression of Change (PGIC), and Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) were used for analysis.Results: Thirty-two patients (17 in group 1, 10 in group 2, and 5 in group 3) stopped taking amitriptyline due to side effects. There were no differences among the groups with respect to sex; scores of VAS, PCS, and SSS-8; and drop-out ratio. There were no significant differences in the VAS, PCS, and PGIC scores among the groups after 1 month. The mean daily dose after 1 month was 20.4 ± 8.6 mg in group 1, 17.3 ± 8.7 mg