Resumo

KURIHARA, Eduardo et al. Relationship between oral health and psychological factors in institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly individuals. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) [online]. 2013, vol.61, n.2, pp. 177-186. ISSN 1981-8637.

Objective To compare the oral health status between institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly individuals living in Maringá, PR, Brazil and to analyze how clinical and psychologic variables are correlated. Methods In this study, 86 elderly persons from Maringá were analyzed, of whom 38 were institutionalized and 48 non-institutionalized. Subjective oral health conditions based on General Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) were analyzed. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were used to evaluate psychological conditions and stress self-perception, respectively, of all individuals. The dental status of subjects was evaluated using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (DMFT), considering their use of or need for removable dental prostheses. The salivary flow and salivary cortisol levels were measured. Results Institutionalized subjects had more symptoms of depression, lower salivary flow and a larger number of missing and decayed teeth when compared with non-institutionalized individuals, who presented a larger number of filled teeth. Use of and need for prosthesis were more prevalent in the institutionalized group. Correlation was found between salivary flow and need for prosthesis, and between salivary flow and missing teeth. No significant statistical difference was found among GOHAI, PSS and salivary cortisol levels. Conclusion The fact that institutionalized elderly assessed have a more precarious oral health status than that of the non-institutionalized is associated with clinical, social, and psychological aspects. Effective dental and psychological interventions are needed to improve the quality of oral health of the institutionalized elderly living in Maringá.

Palavras-chave : Aged.; Geriatric dentistry.; Oral health.; Idoso..