Resumo

LUCENA, Antônio Anildo Gomes de et al. Salivary flow in elderly patients. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) [online]. 2010, vol.58, n.3, pp. 301-305. ISSN 1981-8637.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the association between low salivary flow rates and the use of drugs among the elderly. METHODS: This was an observational, prospective, cross-sectional and descriptive-analytic study. A total of 98 elderly individuals (29.6% males and 70.4% females) being treated at Primary Healthcare Units and Centers of Assistance to the Elderly of Campina Grande, Paraiba, were included by probabilistic sampling. The chi-square test was used to verify the association between dependent and independent variables and the null hypothesis was rejected at the 5% significance level (p<0.05). RESULTS: Oral changes were diagnosed in 81.6% of the sample. The most common changes were fissured tongue (34.4%) and hairy-coated tongue (23.4%). The use of medications was reported by 86.7% of the elderly and dry mouth by 46%. The reduction of salivary flow was verified in 46% of the elderly. Statistically significant differences between this variable and gender, use of medications and dry mouth were not verified (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Although an association between the use of medications and reduced salivary flow in elderly patients was not found, oral health education, prevention and promotion programs are needed for this population to improve their quality of life.

Palavras-chave : dental care for aged; aged; saliva; xerostomia.