The relationship between burning mouth syndrome and 48 variables was 
investigated in 241 patients, 45 years old and older, who had attended the Oral 
Medicine Clinic of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Stellenbosch during a 
period of 4 years. A total of 85 cases of burning mouth syndrome were diagnosed 
in 65 women and 20 men. Statistically significant relationships (p < 0.05) were 
found with self-medication, xerostomia, and other salivary disturbances in both 
men and women with burning mouth syndrome when compared with their respective 
controls. Among the women with BMS, significant relationships were also found 
with anemia, inadequate diet, chronic infection, hormone therapy, 
ulcerative/erosive lesions, and atrophy. In contrast men with BMS showed 
statistically significant relationships between taking prescribed medication, 
central nervous system disturbances, gingivitis, and denture-related problems. 
In addition, significant associations were related to variables such as 
psychogenic factors, regurgitation, flatulence, and periodontitis.