title: A study of the emotional effects of tooth loss in an edentulous Gujarati population and its association with depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To fully estimate the burden of illness due to edentulism and establish valid treatment outcomes measures in this regard, it is equally important to study its psychosocial repercussions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to conduct a study to explore the emotional reactions to tooth loss, screen for current depressive symptoms and test for association between the two; among an edentulous Gujarati population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 147 edentulous people visiting the Prosthodontics Department were surveyed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire (based on previous studies) to test the emotional reactions to tooth loss and Nine Item-Patient Health Questionnaire to test for depression were used.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data were analyzed using the Chi-square (χ (2)) test with the help of SPSS v. 18.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Totally, 100 out of 147 edentulous people returned the questionnaire of which 58% experienced difficulties in accepting tooth loss and 37% felt unprepared for its effects. Those with difficulties accepting tooth loss had a greater effect on self esteem and social life, had more reservation about discussing tooth loss and was more likely to experience depression. Both groups were satisfied with dentures, had no problem meeting their friends or partners without dentures and leaving out dentures at night.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  About 58% of edentulous people had difficulties accepting tooth loss, which was unrelated to denture satisfaction. Respondents appeared to be restricted in social activities mainly due to functional limitations. Those with difficulties accepting tooth loss were more likely to experience depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Government Dental College and Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Rupal J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Government Dental College and Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Fatema J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Diwan
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Munira J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Diwan
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Government Dental College and Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Vishal J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Chauhan
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Government Dental College and Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Hemal S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.affiliation: Cliantha Research Limited, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Ghanshyam C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Patel
keywords: Depression; edentulous Gujarati population; emotional effects; study; tooth loss