title: Oral health-related quality of life and associated factors in Southern Brazilian elderly.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to describe oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and associated factors in elderly individuals treated at Family Health Units in urban areas of the city of Pelotas, Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample was composed of 438 individuals aged 60 years old or older. Demographic, socio-economic, general health and behavioural variables were collected using standardised questionnaires. OHRQoL was measured with the oral health impact profile (OHIP-14). Poisson regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with OHRQoL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean total OHIP-14 score was 9.1 (standard deviation: 10.6), and major impacts were related to feeling conscious of psychological discomfort (28.1%) and difficulty eating (24.4%) due to teeth, mouth or dentures. The multivariate analysis revealed higher oral health impact scores among non-White individuals [Prevalence ratios (PR) = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.07-1.66; p = 0.011], those with depressive symptoms (PR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.30-1.99; p < 0.001), tobacco users (PR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.07-1.99; p = 0.016), non-denture users (PR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.10-1.85, p = 0.008), those with a perceived need for dental treatment (PR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.58-2.51; p < 0.001) and those with poor or very poor self-rated oral health (PR = 2.86, 95% CI: 1.93-4.24; p < 0.001). Lower scores were found among individuals aged 80 years or older (PR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.33-0.82; p = 0.005) and those with household income of more than 1.5 times the minimum wage (PR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.46-0.93; p = 0.018).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of the present study underscore the need for public policies aimed at reducing social inequalities and providing adequate dental treatment to improve OHRQoL among elderly individuals.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Dentistry, Lutheran University of Brazil, Canoas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alexandre E R
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Flávio F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Demarco
authors.forename: Carlos A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Feldens
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016321:Dental Care for Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011640:Public Policy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: elderly; epidemiology; family health.; oral health; quality of life