Oral functional characteristics and gastrointestinal pathology: an epidemiological approach.
One of the main problems for aged people is that of having a balanced diet, improved by correct conditioning of the alimentary bolus. Does the masticatory status influence the appearance of gastrointestinal disorders? Such a question justifies the present study. The present work concerned all the patients (211) of eight geriatric institutions, and was completed by a retrospective approach (case-control study). The main result brought by the case-control study, showed that poor oral functional characteristics represent a risk for gastrointestinal pathology (age being neutralized; odds ratio (OR): 2.62). This result indicates that the loss of teeth must be compensated by functionally effective dentures. Not only will the patients' physical and psychic health improve but also medical and public health problems will be solved.
Tosello
A
A
Service d'Odontologie, Hôpital Nord (Unité Fonctionnelle de Recherche Clinique et d'Evaluation), 13915 Marseille Cedex 20, France.
Foti
B
B
Sédarat
C
C
Brodeur
J M
JM
Ferrigno
J M
JM
Tavitian
P
P
Susini
G
G
Bonfil
J J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003778:Dentures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000150:complications*