Evaluation of parotid and submandibular salivary glands by ultrasonography in patients using antidepressants: a case control study

BACKGROUND: Antidepressants are widely prescribed group of medications frequently associated with xerostomia. Although alterations in salivary flow among antidepressant users have been extensively investigated, there is a paucity of data regarding the structural and vascular ultrasonographic characteristics of the major salivary glands. This study aimed to evaluate the echogenicity, parenchymal structure, margin characteristics, blood supply characteristics, and dimensions of the parotid and submandibular glands in antidepressant users compared with systemically healthy controls using ultrasonography (USG). METHODS: In this study, both right and left parotid and submandibular salivary glands of 102 individuals (51 healthy and 51 antidepressant users) were examined by USG. Data normality was evaluated using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Group comparisons were performed using independent samples t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests, as appropriate, and categorical variables were analyzed using the chi-square test. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There is no significant differences between antidepressant users and healthy individuals in terms of echogenicity, parenchymal structure, margin and blood supply characteristics of the submandibular and parotid salivary glands. However, the mean supero-inferior dimension of the right submandibular gland was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. The median medio-lateral dimension of the left submandibular gland was significantly lower in patients compared with controls. Additionally, the mean medio-lateral dimensions of both the right and left parotid glands were significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The ultrasonographic appearance of the major salivary glands did not differ significantly between antidepressant users and healthy controls in terms of tissue characteristics and vascularity, despite limited dimensional differences. These findings suggest that antidepressant use does not markedly alter the ultrasonographic appearance of the salivary glands. Further studies with larger sample sizes, incorporating salivary flow measurements and elastography, are warranted to elucidate the functional and biomechanical effects of antidepressant use on the salivary glands.