Edentulism, loss of functional dentition and oral mucosal lesions in community-dwelling older people: Edentulismo, perda de dentição functional e lesões de mucosa bucal em idosos da comunidade

Abstract

Introduction: Oral health problems may affect the systemic health of older people, eventually contributing to frailty. Aim: to determine risk factors for edentulism, loss of functional dentition and oral mucosal lesions in community-dwelling elderly. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in an older people care program in Southern Brazil. Sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables were collected by questionnaires, and the clinical oral condition of the participants was assessed by oral clinical examination. Edentulism and loss of functional dentition were determined based on the count of teeth, while the oral lesions were identified clinically. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the odds of edentulism, loss of functional dentition and oral lesions. Results: 148 elders participated of the study, with a mean age of 69.5 ± 6.3 years. Being female increased the odds of being edentulous (OR=2.247; 95%CI=1.076-4.693) and of lacking functional dentition (OR=3.947; 95%CI=1.789-8.705), along with being older than 72 years as compared to people with 66 years of less (ORedentulism=2.574; 95%CI=1.033-6.415 and ORfunctional_dent=4.961; 95%CI=1.700-14.482). People who did not wear upper full denture had a OR=0.175 (95%CI=0.072-0.426) of presenting oral mucosal lesions. Conclusion: Being female and older significantly increases the odds of being edentulous or lacking functional dentition. Besides, using upper full denture increases the odds of presenting oral mucosal lesions.Introducción: Los problemas de salud bucal pueden afectar la salud sistémica de las personas mayores, contribuyendo eventualmente a la fragilidad. Objetivo: determinar los factores de riesgo para el edentulismo, la pérdida de la dentición funcional y las lesiones de la mucosa oral en ancianos que viven en la comunidad. Metodología: Este estudio transversal se realizó en un programa de atención a personas mayores en el sur de Brasil. Las variables sociodemográficas y socioeconómicas se recopilaron mediante cuestionarios, y la condición clínica bucal de los participantes se evaluó mediante un examen clínico bucal. El edentulismo y la pérdida de la dentición funcional se determinaron con base en el recuento de dientes, mientras que las lesiones bucales se identificaron clínicamente. Se utilizaron modelos de regresión logística bivariados y multivariados para determinar las probabilidades de edentulismo, pérdida de la dentición funcional y lesiones bucales. Resultados: 148 ancianos participaron en el estudio, con una edad media de 69,5 ± 6,3 años. Ser mujer aumentó las probabilidades de ser edéntulo (OR=2,247; IC95%=1,076-4,693) y de carecer de dentición funcional (OR=3,947; IC95%=1,789-8,705), junto con ser mayor de 72 años en comparación con las personas con 66 años o menos (ORedentulismo=2,574; IC95%=1,033-6,415 y ORdentación_funcional=4,961; IC95%=1,700-14,482). Las personas que no usaban prótesis completa superior tuvieron un OR=0,175 (IC95%=0,072-0,426) de presentar lesiones en la mucosa oral. Conclusión: Ser mujer y mayor aumenta significativamente las probabilidades de ser edéntulo o carecer de dentición funcional. Además, el uso de prótesis superior completa aumenta las probabilidades de presentar lesiones en la mucosa oral.Introduction: Oral health problems may affect the systemic health of older people, eventually contributing to frailty. Aim: to determine risk factors for edentulism, loss of functional dentition and oral mucosal lesions in community-dwelling elderly. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in an older people care program in Southern Brazil. Sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables were collected by questionnaires, and the clinical oral condition of the participants was assessed by oral clinical examination. Edentulism and loss of functional dentition were determined based on the count of teeth, while the oral lesions were identified clinically. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the odds of edentulism, loss of functional dentition and oral lesions. Results: 148 elders participated of the study, with a mean age of 69.5 ± 6.3 years. Being female increased the odds of being edentulous (OR=2.247; 95%CI=1.076-4.693) and of lacking functional dentition (OR=3.947; 95%CI=1.789-8.705), along with being older than 72 years as compared to people with 66 years of less (ORedentulism=2.574; 95%CI=1.033-6.415 and ORfunctional_dent=4.961; 95%CI=1.700-14.482). People who did not wear upper full denture had a OR=0.175 (95%CI=0.072-0.426) of presenting oral mucosal lesions. Conclusion: Being female and older significantly increases the odds of being edentulous or lacking functional dentition. Besides, using upper full denture increases the odds of presenting oral mucosal lesions