Aim
To evaluate the impact of xerostomia, edentulism, use of dental prosthesis, and presence of chronic diseases on quality of life in relation to oral health in institutionalized elderly individuals.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was administered containing the following instruments: Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), which measures the quality of life related to oral health; the Summated Xerostomia Inventory questionnaire (SXI-PL) for evaluation of xerostomia, sociodemographic data, clinical description, and patient-reported factors was assessed (edentulism, use of dental prostheses, and chronic diseases).
Results
Most elderly individuals did not have any teeth in their mouths and used dental prosthesis. The impact on quality of life, considering the mean of the OHIP-14 scores, was positive in 58.3% of the elderly. Those who used a dental prosthesis were three times more likely to have their oral health negatively impacted (OR=3.09; 95%CI =1.17 8.11), compared to those who did not use, and individuals with xerostomia were more likely to have their oral health negatively impacted (OR=1.57; 95%CI=1.25-1.98) compared to those without xerostomia. There was no difference in the quality of life of individuals with and without chronic diseases.
Conclusions
The feeling of dry mouth and use of dental prostheses negatively impacted the quality of life in relation to oral health of the elderly.
Xerostomia; Quality of life; Oral health; Aged; Chronic diseases; Aging; Dental prosthesis; Drug utilization; Mouth, edentulous