Description

DENPDRYM indicates whether the respondent had a problem with dry mouth in the past six months. Starting in 2021, this was redefined as persistent dry mouth over 12 months. This question associated with this variable was asked to sample adults only in 2021, and to sample adults and sample children in 2008 and 2024.

In 2021, DENPDRYM is one of several questions sponsored by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) to gather information on smell and taste disorders in adults. For more information and a complete list of these variables, see the description for TSTSMDOC.

Comparability

Changes to the universe and the definition of a persistently dry mouth, as well as changes introduced by the 2019 NHIS redesign affect comparability. Starting in 2021, the respondents were asked about experiencing a persistently dry mouth over a 12-month range rather than a 6-month range. Moreover, in 2008 and 2024, the universe included both sample children and sample adults, compared to sample adults only in 2021.

Additionally, comparability between 2008 and 2021 may be affected by changes to the universe over time and the 2019 questionnaire redesign. The NHIS questionnaire was substantially redesigned in 2019 to introduce a different data collection structure and new content. For more information on changes in terminology, universes, and data collection methods beginning in 2019, please see the user note.

Universe

Availability

• 2008, 2021, 2024

Weights

• 2008, 2021, 2024 : SAMPWEIGHT