Needs in screening cardiovascular parameters during dental care in the elderly.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare physiological reactivity during oral care between elderly and young subjects.


METHODS
Heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and blood oxygen saturation (SPO2) were recorded seven times during two consecutive dental impression sessions in 31 complete denture wearers (aged 60.7+/-11.44 yrs) and 31 young subjects (aged 21.8+/-1.5 yrs). Subjects also reported pain and anxiety on a visual analogue scale.


RESULTS
In the group of young subjects, SBP and DBP increased after the first impression and remained unchanged after the second. In the group of elderly persons, SBP and DBP increased significantly during both first and second dental impressions. Intergroup comparisons showed a longer-term relative increase in SBP and DBP in the group of elderly subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
These results emphasize the need to screen cardiovascular parameters during dental care in elderly subjects.
Nicolas
Emmanuel
E
Univ. Clermont, EA 3847, UFR d'Odontologie, Clermont-Ferrand, France. emmanuel.nicolas@u-clermont1.fr
Lassauzay
Claire
C
Pickering
Gisèle
G
Croze
Jocelyn
J
Hennequin
Martine
M
D000328:Adult; D002319:Cardiovascular System; D003729:Dental Care; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood
D010100:Oxygen