Oral status and its association with general quality of life in older independent-living south-Brazilians.
BACKGROUND
There are few studies assessing the importance of oral status, particularly tooth loss, edentulism and satisfaction with mastication, on the perception of quality of life (qol) in general. The objective of this study was to evaluate if oral status was associated with lower ratings in the WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire-Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) domains.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, a random sample of 872 Southern-Brazilians aged 60 years or more was evaluated using a structured questionnaire to assess sociodemographic data, qol (WHOQOL-BREF), and depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale). Oral examinations assessing the number of teeth and saliva flow were performed. Additionally, participants were asked to rate their satisfaction with the ability to chew. Correlates of poorer qol (i.e. values of the WHOQOL-BREF < or = median) were assessed by means of multivariate logistic regressions.


RESULTS
Poorer qol in the physical domain was associated with increasing age, income, living in rural areas, >2 chronic conditions, intake of medications, depressive symptoms, edentulism, and reporting difficulty for chewing food. Poorer qol in the psychological domain was associated with income, schooling, >2 chronic conditions, intake of medications, depressive symptoms, and difficulty for chewing. Poorer qol in the environment domain was associated with income, living in urban areas, depressive symptoms, and difficulty for chewing. Poorer qol in the social relations domain was associated with living in urban areas, depressive symptoms, and difficulty for chewing.


CONCLUSIONS
In the studied population, oral status was associated with the perception of quality of life in general.
Hugo
Fernando Neves
FN
Department of Preventive and Social Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. fnhugo@yahoo.com.br
Hilgert
Juliana Balbinot
JB
de Sousa
Maria da Luz Rosário
Mda L
Cury
Jaime Aparecido
JA
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004358:Drug Therapy; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012423:Rural Health; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D012636:Secretory Rate; D012923:Social Class; D012931:Social Environment; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000523:psychology; D014504:Urban Health