Is depressive symptomatology associated with worse oral functioning and well-being among older adults?
OBJECTIVE
Although depression negatively affects individuals' physical functioning and well-being, its association with oral functioning and well-being has not been examined previously. The objective of this study was to examine the association between depressive symptomatology and oral quality of life.


METHODS
We utilized data from two samples of older adults: community-dwelling participants who used community primary care physicians in Los Angeles (n=1,653) and individuals who sought ambulatory care through four Department of Veterans Affairs facilities in the Boston metropolitan area (n=212). Depressive symptomatology was measured with the CES-D scale; Oral Quality of Life was measured with the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Instrument and the Oral Health-related Quality of Life measure. We conducted hierarchical regression analyses to examine the effects of depression on oral quality of life, controlling for self-reported oral health, age, education, income, and marital status.


RESULTS
Individuals with more depressive symptoms reported worse oral quality of life, controlling for sociodemographic factors and self-reported oral health. This finding persisted across multiple samples and both sexes, and using two measures of oral quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings further emphasize the importance of treating depression among older adults, and suggest that both dentists and physicians have a role in recognizing and referring patients for such treatment.
Kressin
Nancy R
NR
Center for Health Quality, Outcomes and Economic Research, VAMC, 200 Springs Road, Building 70 (152), Bedford, MA 01730, USA. nkressin@bu.edu
Spiro
Avron
A
Atchison
Kathryn A
KA
Kazis
Lewis
L
Jones
Judith A
JA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001900:Boston; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D009909:Oral Health; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors