The impact on quality of life in patients with burning mouth syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives. The objective of this study was to evaluate the evidence on health-related quality of life (HRQL) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQL) in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS). Study Design. A systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PROSPERO CRD42020175288). An electronic search was carried out in March 2020 and included clinical trials, cross-sectional studies, and case-control studies. The following databases were screened: Embase, LILACS, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. A gray literature search was performed on Google Scholar and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. The eligibility criteria comprised publications that assessed HRQL or OHRQL in patients with BMS. The risk of bias was evaluated through The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools. The Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system was used for the assessment of evidence quality. Results. Thirty-three studies were included, and most presented a low risk of bias. Three meta-analyses were performed based on results of 6 observational studies and showed worse OHRQL (P < .00001) and HRQL (P < .0001) in patients with BMS compared to controls. Conclusion. Patients with BMS reported poor HRQL and poor OHRQL compared to control groups, evidencing that this condition affects patients' well-being.