Saúde bucal e qualidade de vida do idoso usuário do Sistema Único de Saúde de um município de médio porte em Minas Gerais - Brasil

Abstract

The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to determine the association of oral health status on the quality of life of elderly clients of the Brazilian public healthcare system in a medium-size city in the state of Minas Gerais. The sample was made up of male and female individuals aged 60 years or older, functionally independent, non-institutionalized, clientele of the public healthcare system, living in urban areas, selected by random, proportional sampling. Data on quality of life were obtained from recorded interviews held with eight elderly individuals and the WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire. Data on oral health status were obtained through an oral exam that assessed dental and periodontal status, the presence of lesions in the mucosa as well as the use of and need for dentures. Data from the questionnaire and epidemiological exam were analyzed using the SPSS (v.16.0) program. Mean age was 69 years (± 6.1) and 68.7% of the participants were women. A total of 90.8% reported at least one systemic disease; 72.4% took up to three medications per day and sought assistance at basic health units an average of four times in the previous six months; 72.9% were registered with the Family Health Project. Mean total score on the WHOQOL-OLD was 81 points, representing a high perception of quality of life. No dimension on the questionnaire was associated to oral health status. The DMFT index ranged from 2 to 32 [mean = 28.3 (±5.7)], with the missing component predominating (89.4%). The remaining teeth exhibited high rates of gingival bleeding (55.2%) and loss of insertion (89.9%). There was an 80.2% prevalence of complete removable denture use; the need for dentures was 59.5% in the lower arch and 40.5% in the upper arch. Lesions in the mucosa were detected in 31.4% of the individuals and were associated to the use of removable dentures. The interviews were categorized for the identification of themes for analysis. It was concluded that, despite the precarious oral health status, oral health did not have an impact on the quality of life of the elderly individuals surveyed.