Association between nutrition and the prosthetic condition in edentulous elderly.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the possible risk of malnutrition among the elderly population.


METHODS
twenty-three pairs of complete dentures were made for a group of patients and 17 upper complete dentures with implant-supported lower dentures were made for a different group.


METHODS
The study was performed at the University of São Paulo--Dental Branch, Brazil. The patients were submitted to a nutritional test, as well as to a clinical examination and interview. Chewing ability and patient's satisfaction with their prostheses were evaluated. The nonparametric statistics proof of chi-squared, level 0.05 was performed and because of the low frequencies. The Fischer test was also used.


RESULTS
Patients wearing mandibular implant-supported dentures were considered well nourished (76.47%) when compared with complete dentures users (43.48%). There was a significant difference between the two groups, concerning to chewing ability (chi2 = 5.79) and nutritional status (chi2 = 4.35).


CONCLUSIONS
The risk of malnutrition was higher for elderly wearing complete dentures. The psychological state influences the interest in diet and choice of food.
de Oliveira
Terezinha R C
TR
Prosthodontic Department, Federal University of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. tete@ufu.br
Frigerio
Maria L M A
ML
D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003824:Denture, Complete; D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000209:etiology*; D008409:Mastication; D009752:Nutritional Status; D018570:Risk Assessment