[Oral health-related quality of life in elderly].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to describe the oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) of institutionalized elderly.


METHODS
159 elderly were randomly selected for this, study ranging in age from 61 to 98 (mean age 82.8; 19.1% male, 80.9% female). For measuring the OHRQoL the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) was used. Additionally, a dental status was evaluated.


RESULTS
15% of the subjects had only natural teeth or fixed dentures, 80% removable dentures and 15% no dentures at all. OHIP-mean reached 33+/-25 points, between 0 and 112. The subcategory "functional limitation" showed the highest impairment (6.3%). The items with the highest impairment on OHRQoL in the different subcategories were: dentures not fitting properly, uncomfortable dentures, self-conscious due to teeth, avoid eating some foods, felt depressed, avoid going out and general health worsened.


CONCLUSIONS
The OHIP summary score represents an overview of OHRQoL and answers detailed questions with the help of the single items. In institutionalized elderly many items showed impairment, especially in items concerning the prosthetic restorations. This demonstrates the need for dental aftercare and not only dental interventions for acute pain. Establishing aftercare and prophylaxis could increase the OHRQoL and subsequently the overall well-being.
Hassel
A J
AJ
Poliklinik für Zahnärztliche Prothetik, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. alexander.hassel@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Koke
U
U
Drechsel
A
A
Kunz
C
C
Rammelsberg
P
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003778:Dentures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D009909:Oral Health; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*