Self-rated general and oral health and associated factors in independently-living older individuals

Author(s)

Luísa Helena do Nascimento TÔRRES ^[1] ; Maria Laura Braccini FAGUNDES ^[2] ; Débora Dias da SILVA ^[3] ; Anita Liberalesso NERI ^[4] ; Juliana Balbinot HILGERT ^[5] ; Fernando Neves HUGO ^[6] ; Maria da Luz Rosário de SOUSA ^[7]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Dental School. Department of Stomatology - Brasil

^[2] Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Dental School. Department of Stomatology - Brasil

^[3] Universidade Paulista. Dental School. Departament of Community and Dental Health - Brasil

^[4] Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Faculty of Medical Sciences. Departament of Genrontology - Brasil

^[5] Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Dental School. Departament of Preventive and Social Dentistry - Brasil

^[6] Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Dental School. Departament of Preventive and Social Dentistry - Brasil

^[7] Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Dental School. Department of Health Sciences and Pediatric Dentistry - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Brazilian Oral Research; v. 34, 2020-07-15.

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study was to verify the association between sociodemographic, general health, and oral health data with self-rated general health (SRGH) and self-rated oral health (SROH) in independent-living older Brazilians. This cross-sectional study was part of a larger study with older individuals living independently in the city of Campinas, Brazil – the “Rede FIBRA” Study (the Frailty in Brazilian Elderly Study). A random sample of 688 older individuals responded the SRGH and 673, the SROH. SRHG and SROH were both assessed using a single item. The questionnaire included sociodemographic, general, and oral health data. The mean age was 72.28 ± 5.4 years. The adjusted analysis revealed that the probability of rating general health as bad was higher for illiterate participants (PR: 1.77, 95%CI: 1.13–2.77) or with low educational level (PR: 1.76, 95%CI: 1.17–2.65), those with depressive symptoms (PR: 1.45, 95%CI:1.21–1.74), participants that self-reported food limitation due to problems with denture or lack of it (PR: 1.29, 95%CI: 1.05–1.56), and those with xerostomia (PR 1.40, 95%CI: 1.17–1.67). The probability of rating general health as bad was lower for participants that presented 0-2 chronic diseases (PR: 0.64, 95%CI: 0.53–0.78) and were pre-frail (PR: 0.76, 95%CI: 0.61-0.96). With regard to SROH, the probability of rating oral health as bad was higher for participants with natural teeth (PR:1.61, 95%CI: 1.24–2.08), that reported xerostomia (PR: 1.44, 95%CI: 1.13–1.84), and food limitation due to problems with denture or lack of it (PR: 1.43, 95%CI: 1.07–1,91), and lower for participants that reported having enough money to cover daily expenses (PR: 0.78, 95%CI: 0.61–0.99). Oral health data and income seem to be related to self-perceptions of general and oral health. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/51455-2 - Oral health and its association with social and nutritional indicators in older adults from Campinas, São Paulo
• Grantee: Maria da Luz Rosario de Sousa
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants