title: A study of orofacial bacterial infections in elderly Nigerians.
abstract: This retrospective study was designed to determine the pattern of occurrence, and principles of management of orofacial bacterial infections in elderly Nigerians. Ninety-two patients aged 55-90 years (mean +/- SD 62.4 +/- 7.5 years), were admitted into the study (male:female ratio 1.1:1). The origin of orofacial infection was predominantly odontogenic and the lower face was three times more commonly involved. The percentage of patients with underlying systemic disease was 16.2%. Patients with underlying disease had a 3.5 times greater risk of developing orofacial infections. Similarly, a significant correlation was demonstrated between both sexes of patients with orofacial infections and underlying illness (P < 0.05). There was a general delay before presenting for treatment (average 19.5 weeks) and the mortality rate was 3.3%. The study findings demonstrate that a significant relationship exists between elderly Nigerians with orofacial infections and systemic disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. vugboko@oauife.edu.ng
authors.forename: V I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Ugboko
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Owotade
authors.forename: S O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Ajike
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Ndukwe
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Onipede
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology; D004322:Drainage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005491:Focal Infection, Dental / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D008439:Maxillary Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D010508:Periodontal Abscess / Q000453:epidemiology; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D013223:Statistics as Topic
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents