J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg 2024; 50(2): 63~69
Burning measure for burning mouth syndrome: a systematic review
Sunny Priyatham Tirupathi1, Sardhar Malothu2, Udaikiran Allaparthi3, Swathi Velvaluri4, Lamea Afnan5, Shraddha Budia6, Muskaan Sachdev7
1Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, 2Department of Periodontics, Mamatha Dental College & Hospital, Khammam, 3Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sri Balaji Dental College, Hyderabad, 4Department of Periodontics, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneswar, 5Department of Public Health Dentistry, Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences, Virajpet, 6Consultant Pediatric Dentist, Private Practice, Mumbai, 7Clinical Documentation Specialist, IKS Health Pvt. Ltd., Navi Mumbai, India
Sunny Priyatham Tirupathi
Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India
TEL: +91-9490549454
E-mail: dr.priyatham@gmail.com
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2593-0090
Received January 28, 2023; Revised March 21, 2023; Accepted March 23, 2023.; Published online April 30, 2024.
© Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. All rights reserved.

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
 Abstract
This current systematic review aimed to evaluate the current evidence on the effect of topical capsaicin application to alleviate symptoms related to burning mouth syndrome (BMS). PubMed, Ovid SP, and Cochrane were searched from 1980 to 2022 to identify relevant literature. A total of 942 titles (PubMed, 84; Ovid SP, 839; Cochrane, 19) was retrieved, of which 936 were excluded based on the title and abstract. A total of 11 studies were further evaluated for full text analysis, of which 7 were excluded. As a result, 4 articles were included for qualitative synthesis of data. Capsaicin as a mouthwash can have potential application in the treatment of symptoms related to burning mouth. The quality of available studies is moderate to low, and a well-designed randomized multicentric study comparing capsaicin with other active agents is planned to obtain more definitive conclusions.
Keywords: Burning mouth syndrome, Capsaicin, Pain, Orofacial pain
I. Introduction

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a burning, stinging, or itching sensation of the lips, tongue, and the oral mucosa with no evidence of oral lesions1. This condition is also referred to as stomatopyrosis, glossopyrosis, glosodynia, scalded mouth syndrome, stomatodynia, sore tongue, burning lips syndrome, glossalgia, oral dysesthesia, and sore mouth. BMS has a common triad of symptoms of burning oral mucosa, dysgeusia (altered taste sensation), and xerostomia (dry mouth). The prevalence of BMS ranges from 1.73% in the worldwide general population to 7.72% in the clinical population. Females older than 50 years are more likely to develop BMS2. The disease is multi-factorial, and no single etiopathogenesis has been discovered. Recent research has discussed possible causes as neuropathic, affecting both the general and special sensory components of the trigeminal nerve and the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway dysfunction, causing damage to the taste pathway3-8. Anxiety, depression, and sleep deprivation are co-morbidities associated with BMS9. Other co-factors associated with BMS include gastroesophageal reflux disease, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperhomocysteinemia, and hypothyroidism10,11. Treatment of BMS is complex and requires a custom-made multidisciplinary approach for each patient. Treatment includes a combination of systemic, behavioral, and topical treatments such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants (clonazepam, gabapentin, pregabalin), antipsychotics, vitamins or dietary supplements (alpha-lipoic acid), analgesics, mouthwashes (benzydamine hydrochloride & clonazepam), and hormone replacements for postmenopausal women12. Herbal agents are gaining popularity recently for the treatment of BMS. Ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide, herbal catuama, hypericum perforatum, and lycopene-enriched extra virgin oil are being evaluated for treatment of BMS.

Recent research has demonstrated that the capsaicin component present in pepper has an analgesic effect and is proposed for conditions such as neuralgias, arthritis, and diabetic neuropathy. Capsaicin produces a burning sensation in contacted tissues as a result of neuronal excitation in the polymodal C fiber where it binds to the nociceptor TRPV1. Repeated application of capsaicin acts through three pathways: (1) temporary loss of membrane potential, (2) inability to transport neurotrophic factors, and (3) altered phenotype and reversible retraction of the terminals of the epidermal and dermal nerve fibers, leading to dysfunctioning and reduced pain and burning sensation13,14.

Systemic capsaicin has been shown to have a beneficial effect in reduction of symptoms related to BMS, but the side effects include gastrointestinal irritation15. Some studies have reported beneficial uses of topical capsaicin in the reduction of symptoms related to BMS. The aim of this current systematic review is to evaluate the effect of topical capsaicin in reducing the symptoms of BMS.

II. Protocol and Registration

The protocol was registered in Prospero with the registration number CRD42022379471.

1. Framework

The PICO strategy framework was adapted based on the pre-formulated question, “Is topical capsaicin application effective in reducing symptoms related to Burning Mouth Syndrome?” The search strategy of the systematic review is as follows: (P) patient: any patient with established diagnosis of BMS; (I) intervention: topical capsaicin application either as mouthwash or a gel; (C) comparison: placebo or any other agent; and (O) outcome: mitigation of symptoms related to BMS.

2. Search strategy

Thorough electronic searches were performed in PubMed, Ovid SP, and Cochrane for studies from January 1980 until December 2022. Grey literature was searched in the LILACS database for related relevant articles. No restrictions were applied to the language as long as it was translatable into English. The search was performed using search terms (Capsaicin) AND (Burning mouth).

3. Eligibility criteria

Clinical trials that evaluated local application of capsaicin in topical form (mouthwash, gel) were included. Case reports, narrative and systematic reviews, and articles that could not be translated into English were excluded. Any clinical study that evaluated topical capsaicin with or without a control agent for treatment of BMS were included in the current review. The article titles were carefully screened and then further evaluated by reviewing their abstracts. Articles deemed fit were subjected to full-text evaluation and then further processed for qualitative analysis. Two reviewers independently evaluated quantitative and qualitative data. If there was any discrepancy, a third independent reviewer became involved to resolve the issue.

4. Risk of bias evaluation

Two independent reviewers assessed the methodological quality of the included articles using the ROBINS-I (Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions) Cochrane criteria.

III. Results

1. Study selection

A total of 942 titles (PubMed, 84; Ovid SP, 839; Cochrane, 19) was retrieved, of which 936 were excluded based on the title and abstract. A total of 11 studies was further evaluated for full text analysis, of which 7 were excluded15-21 (Table 1), leaving 4 articles for the qualitative analysis.(Fig. 1, Table 2) Critical appraisal of included articles: The four included articles were subjected to quality appraisal and deemed to be of low to moderate quality (average score=11).(Table 3)

2. Overall risk of bias

The overall risk of bias among the four included studies ranged from moderate to serious. Four studies were included for the final qualitative analysis. All were interventional studies published between 2012 and 202122-25. The age range of participants in the included studies was 30-90 years.(Fig. 2, 3) In the studies included, capsaicin was used in topical preparation form (mouthwash form), where the concentration was between 0.01% and 0.025%. The frequency of usage of mouthwash ranged from a thrice a week regimen to 28 days of continuous use. Capsaicin was used singly or in combination with other agents. No control was used in the studies by Jørgensen and Pedersen23 and Ricken et al.24. Placebo rinse was used in the study by Silvestre et al.25. Subjective pain was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) among all groups.

IV. Discussion

Four studies were included for the final qualitative synthesis of data. None had a randomized design, and all were interventional studies of topical capsaicin application22-25. Capsaicin was used at concentrations ranging from 0.01% to 0.025% among the included studies. Topical application of capsaicin was delivered in gel form in the studies by Jørgensen and Pedersen23 and Ricken et al.24 and in mouthwash form at a concentration of 0.02% in the studies by Jankovskis and Selga22 and Silvestre et al.25. Capsaicin was used alone in three studies23-25, but was used in conjunction with other agents such as zinc and vitamin B12 supplements in the study by Jankovskis and Selga22.

1. Application and duration of capsaicin

Capsaicin application varied by study, with topical gel applied on the BMS-affected tongue by Jørgensen and Pedersen23. Topical capsaicin was applied for a period of 28 days (excluding the washout period of 14 days) in the study by Jørgensen and Pedersen23. The capsaicin application duration was the longest at 180 days in the study by Ricken et al.24. Three weeks continuous capsaicin topical application as mouthwash three times a day was used in the study by Jankovskis and Selga22.

2. Remission of symptoms of BMS

Remission of the symptoms of BMS was observed as early as 28 days in the study by Jørgensen and Pedersen23. The study by Ricken et al.24 reported remission of symptoms in 50% of the patients and significant improvement in 40% in the first 30 days. Ricken et al.24 also performed evaluation after 180 days and after medication withdrawal, and 60% of the patients reported total absence of BMS symptoms. In 40% of patients, the score of BMS decreased, while 10% showed a smaller decrease but still below baseline. Topical capsaicin used as a mouthwash three times a day for three weeks reduced the symptoms of BMS in cases where adequate remission was not achieved using vitamin B and zinc supplementation22.

3. Adverse effects

An unpleasant taste with strong burning sensation was observed in all the participants in the study and were resolved within 30 minutes of capsaicin application23. Reversible gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and itching and soreness of the throat were observed in 18% of the participants in the study by Jørgensen and Pedersen23. More frequent side effects were reported with the higher concentration of 0.025% as opposed to 0.01%23. Burning was observed in 30% of the population in the study by Silvestre et al.25.

4. Summary of evidence

This systematic review aimed to investigate the effect of topical application of capsaicin in reducing the symptoms of BMS. All included studies reported significant reduction in the self-reported pain scores in the patients affected by BMS.

5. Strengths and limitations of the study

The current systematic review aimed to include only studies that used topical capsaicin in well-established BMS patients. To improve the quality of analysis, exclusion of studies was performed8. The study by Marino et al.8 was excluded as the concentration of capsaicin was not standardized. A limitation of the current systematic review is the data related to VAS not mentioned in the studies included for quantitative pooling of data, for which meta-analysis was not performed.

6. Directions for future research

Capsaicin can be compared with an active agent (alpha-lipoic acid) in a split mouth fashion to evaluate the remission of symptoms.

V. Conclusion

Based on the available results, the following conclusions can be made.

1. Capsaicin as a mouthwash has potential for application in the treatment of symptoms related to burning mouth.

2. The quality of available studies is moderate to low, and a well-designed randomized multicentric study comparing capsaicin with other active agents should be planned to obtain more definitive conclusions.

Authors’ Contributions

S.P.T. has conceived the idea and has done data collection, performed statistical analysis and wrote manuscript. S.M., U.A., S.V., L.A., S.B., and M.S. participated in data collection and study design. L.A. participated in drafting of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Conflict of Interest

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures
Fig. 1. Prisma flowchart.
Fig. 2. Risk of bias graph.
Fig. 3. Risk of bias summary.
Tables

Table showing excluded articles and reasons for exclusion

No. Excluded articles Reasons for exclusion
1 Azzi et al.16 (2017) Standardized preparation not performed in the study.
2 Scardina et al.20 (2006) Model study for identifying pathophysiology of burning mouth syndrome.
3 Epstein and Marcoe17 (1994) Capsaicin is used for neuropathic pain and trigeminal neuralgia.
4 Petruzzi et al.15 (2004) Systemic rather than topical administration of capsaicin.
5 Peppin and Pappagallo18 (2014) Capsaicin is used for neuropathic pain.
6 Romero et al.19 (2019) Capsaicin is used for myofascial pain.
7 Teixeira et al.21 (2015) Capsaicin in post-herpetic neuralgia.

Characteristics of included studies

Study Study design Sample
characteristics
Intervention and form Application protocol. Control Measurement scale Outcome Adverse effects
Ricken et al.24 (2021) Interventional study 18 patients aged 30-69 years were recruited for application of capsaicin in a burning mouth region.
Duration: 90 days
0.025% capsaicin gel applied to the affected area.
Application protocol: thrice daily for one month, twice daily every alternate day for the second month, once daily for three days per week
Application protocol: thrice daily in gel form for one month, twice daily every alternate day for the second month, once daily for three days a week No control Subjective pain scores and quality of life using the OHIP-14 scale Topical application of capsaicin is effective in reducing the intensity of burning sensation. 7 patients (38%) reported xerostomia. 2 patients reported erythema on the lip and jugal mucosa.
Jørgensen and Pedersen23 (2017) Interventional study, randomized double-blind crossover study 22 female patients aged 34-70 years were recruited, of which 18 completed the study, crossover design application of capsaicin in the burning region. 0.025% and 0.01% capsaicin gels were applied on the dorsal part of the tongue. Capsaicin gel was applied three times a day for 14 days followed by a 14-day washout period. For the next 14 days, the other concentration was applied. No control Subjective pain scores using VAS There was a significant decrease in both the capsaicin groups (0.01% and 0.025%) and the VAS score in comparison to baseline.
The VAS score at baseline was 5.5±0.6, and there was a decrease of VAS by 1.4±0.4.
VAS scores increased in the wash out period.
There was no significant difference in either of the concentration groups.
4 patients reporting minor side effects were deferred from treatment.
Side effects were mostly related to gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, itching, and sore throat. All side effects were reversible.
Silvestre et al.25 (2012) Interventional study, randomized double-blind crossover study 30 patients were recruited for the study including 23 individuals aged 40-90 years.
Crossover design
0.02% capsaicin rinse for 7 days The total duration was three weeks.
Mouthwash administered thrice daily for one week, followed by a one-week washout period and then subjection to the control placebo mouthwash.
Placebo rinse Subjective pain scores using VAS There was a significant decrease in the VAS score in the capsaicin group. 7 dropouts
Side effects ranged from intense burning sensation in 30% of subjects ranging up to 30 minutes after application of the rinse.
Jankovskis and Selga22 (2021) Interventional study 89 patients, of which 20 were allocated to the capsaicin mouthwash group. 0.02% capsaicin rinse The total duration of therapy was three weeks. The patient was subjected to capsaicin mouth rinse three times a day for three weeks. Zinc and vitamin B12 supplementation Subjective pain scores using VAS Capsaicin mouth rinse in conjunction with B12 and zinc supplementation is effective in reducing VAS scores related to burning mouth syndrome. -

(OHIP-14: Oral Health Impact Profile-14, VAS: visual analog scale)


Quality assessment of the included studies

Study Aim Inclusion Data collection Endpoint Evaluation bias Follow-up period Loss to follow-up Sample size Total score
Ricken et al.24 (2021) 2 2 1 2 0 2 2 0 11
Jørgensen and Pedersen23 (2017) 2 2 1 2 0 2 2 0 11
Silvestre et al.25 (2012) 2 2 1 2 0 2 2 0 11
Jankovskis and Selga22 (2021) 2 2 1 2 0 2 2 0 11

Score: 0=not reported, 1=reported but inadequate, 2=reported and adequate.

Ideal score is 16 for non-comparative studies and 24 for comparative studies.


References
  1. Khawaja SN, Alaswaiti OF, Scrivani SJ. Burning mouth syndrome. Dent Clin North Am 2023;67:49-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cden.2022.07.004.
    Pubmed CrossRef
  2. Wu S, Zhang W, Yan J, Noma N, Young A, Yan Z. Worldwide prevalence estimates of burning mouth syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Oral Dis 2022;28:1431-40. https://doi.org/10.1111/odi.13868.
    Pubmed CrossRef
  3. Albuquerque RJC, de Leeuw R, Carlson CR, Okeson JP, Miller CS, Andersen AH. Cerebral activation during thermal stimulation of patients who have burning mouth disorder: an fMRI study. Pain 2006;122:223-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2006.01.020.
    Pubmed CrossRef
  4. Jääskeläinen SK, Forssell H, Tenovuo O. Abnormalities of the blink reflex in burning mouth syndrome. Pain 1997;73:455-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0304-3959(97)00140-1.
    Pubmed CrossRef
  5. Forssell H, Jääskeläinen S, Tenovuo O, Hinkka S. Sensory dysfunction in burning mouth syndrome. Pain 2002;99:41-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0304-3959(02)00052-0.
    Pubmed CrossRef
  6. Hagelberg N, Forssell H, Rinne JO, Scheinin H, Taiminen T, Aalto S, et al. Striatal dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in burning mouth syndrome. Pain 2003;101:149-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0304-3959(02)00323-8.
    Pubmed CrossRef
  7. Lauria G, Majorana A, Borgna M, Lombardi R, Penza P, Padovani A, et al. Trigeminal small-fiber sensory neuropathy causes burning mouth syndrome. Pain 2005;115:332-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2005.03.028.
    Pubmed CrossRef
  8. Marino R, Torretta S, Capaccio P, Pignataro L, Spadari F. Different therapeutic strategies for burning mouth syndrome: preliminary data. J Oral Pathol Med 2010;39:611-6. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0714.2010.00922.x.
    Pubmed CrossRef
  9. Galli F, Lodi G, Sardella A, Vegni E. Role of psychological factors in burning mouth syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cephalalgia 2017;37:265-77. https://doi.org/10.1177/0333102416646769.
    Pubmed CrossRef
  10. Wu YH, Wu YC, Chang JY, Lang MJ, Chiang CP, Sun A. Anemia, hematinic deficiencies, and hyperhomocysteinemia in younger and older burning mouth syndrome patients. J Dent Sci 2022;17:1144-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jds.2022.02.005.
    Pubmed KoreaMed CrossRef
  11. Russo M, Crafa P, Franceschi M, Rodriguez-Castro KI, Franzoni L, Guglielmetti S, et al. Burning mouth syndrome and reflux disease: relationship and clinical implications. Acta Biomed 2022;93:e2022329. https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v93i6.13391.
  12. Tan HL, Smith JG, Hoffmann J, Renton T. A systematic review of treatment for patients with burning mouth syndrome. Cephalalgia 2022;42:128-61. https://doi.org/10.1177/03331024211036152.
    Pubmed KoreaMed CrossRef
  13. Rumsfield JA, West DP. Topical capsaicin in dermatologic and peripheral pain disorders. DICP 1991;25:381-7. https://doi.org/10.1177/106002809102500409.
    Pubmed CrossRef
  14. Boyd K, Shea SM, Patterson JW. The role of capsaicin in dermatology. Prog Drug Res 2014;68:293-306. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-0828-6_12.
    Pubmed CrossRef
  15. Petruzzi M, Lauritano D, De Benedittis M, Baldoni M, Serpico R. Systemic capsaicin for burning mouth syndrome: short-term results of a pilot study. J Oral Pathol Med 2004;33:111-4. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0714.2004.0194n.x.
    Pubmed CrossRef
  16. Azzi L, Croveri F, Pasina L, Porrini M, Vinci R, Manfredini M, et al. A "burning therapy" for burning mouth syndrome: preliminary results with the administration of topical capsaicin. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents 2017;31(2 Suppl 1):89-95.
  17. Epstein JB, Marcoe JH. Topical application of capsaicin for treatment of oral neuropathic pain and trigeminal neuralgia. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 1994;77:135-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/0030-4220(94)90275-5.
    Pubmed CrossRef
  18. Peppin JF, Pappagallo M. Capsaicinoids in the treatment of neuropathic pain: a review. Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2014;7:22-32. https://doi.org/10.1177/1756285613501576.
    Pubmed KoreaMed CrossRef
  19. Romero V, Lara JR, Otero-Espinar F, Salgado MH, Modolo NSP, de Barros GAM. Capsaicin topical cream (8%) for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome. Rev Bras Anestesiol 2019;69:432-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjane.2019.06.008.
    KoreaMed CrossRef
  20. Scardina GA, Carini F, Valenza V, Messina P. Topical capsaicin application and axon reflex vasodilatation of the tongue: neurogenic involvement in burning mouth syndrome. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol 2006;28:707-11. https://doi.org/10.1358/mf.28.10.1037499.
    Pubmed CrossRef
  21. Teixeira MJ, Menezes LM, Silva V, Galhardoni R, Sasson J, Okada M, et al. Liposomal topical capsaicin in post-herpetic neuralgia: a safety pilot study. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2015;73:237-40. https://doi.org/10.1590/0004-282x20140232.
    Pubmed CrossRef
  22. Jankovskis V, Selga G. Vitamin B and zinc supplements and capsaicin oral rinse treatment options for burning mouth syndrome. Medicina (Kaunas) 2021;57:391. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57040391.
    Pubmed KoreaMed CrossRef
  23. Jørgensen MR, Pedersen AM. Analgesic effect of topical oral capsaicin gel in burning mouth syndrome. Acta Odontol Scand 2017;75:130-6. https://doi.org/10.1080/00016357.2016.1269191.
    Pubmed CrossRef
  24. Ricken CM, Péder SNS, Kamikawa DS, Pieralisi N, Chicarelli M, Tolentino ES. Evaluation of a protocol for topical application of capsaicine gel 0.025 % in the management of burning mouth syndrome correlating its impact on quality of life. Int J Odontostomatol 2021;15:443-8.
    CrossRef
  25. Silvestre FJ, Silvestre-Rangil J, Tamarit-Santafé C, Bautista D. Application of a capsaicin rinse in the treatment of burning mouth syndrome. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal 2012;17:e1-4. https://doi.org/10.4317/medoral.17219.
    Pubmed KoreaMed CrossRef


Current Issue

31 December 2024
Vol.50 No.6 pp.307~373

This Article


Social Network Service

Services

Indexed in