title: The functionality of masticatory apparatus and the sense of depression in patients over 55 years of age living in a family environment and social care centres.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the masticatory apparatus functionality and a sense of depression in patients over 55 years of age living in a family environment and the Social Care Centres (SCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Shortened version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used to assess the wellbeing of patients and their state/sense of depression. The clinical evaluation of masticatory function was performed during one appointment in the natural light. The clinical criterion for the retention of masticatory function, adopted by the World Health Organization was a contact between at least 20 opposing teeth, natural or artificial.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among patients with a low number of GDS points (0-5), statistically significantly higher proportion of people living in family houses (69.4%) maintained functionality of masticatory apparatus than of people living in SCC (23.5%). In contrast, among patients with a higher number of GDS points (6-15), statistically significantly higher proportion of patients living in SCC (70.8%) did not maintain functionality of masticatory apparatus than of those living in family houses (41.7%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with a sense of depression living in Social Care Centres were more likely to report lack of functionality of masticatory apparatus than patients with a sense of depression living in family houses. The presence of a growing sense of depression significantly affected a lower rate of preserved functionality of masticatory apparatus or vice versa.
authors.affiliation: Katedra i Zakład Stomatologii Zachowawczej i Endodoncji PUM w Szczecinie.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Barczak
authors.affiliation: Katedra i Zakład Stomatologii Zachowawczej i Endodoncji PUM w Szczecinie.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szmidt
authors.affiliation: Katedra i Zakład Stomatologii Zachowawczej i Endodoncji PUM w Szczecinie.
authors.forename: Jadwiga
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buczkowska-Radlińska
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012931:Social Environment; D009057:Stomatognathic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Geriatric Depression Scale; depression; the functionality of mastication