Oral health-related quality of life and associated factors in Southern Brazilian elderly

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to describe oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and associated factors in elderly individuals treated at Family Health Units in urban areas of the city of Pelotas, Brazil. MethodsThe sample was composed of 438 individuals aged 60years old or older. Demographic, socio-economic, general health and behavioural variables were collected using standardised questionnaires. OHRQoL was measured with the oral health impact profile (OHIP-14). Poisson regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with OHRQoL. ResultsThe mean total OHIP-14 score was 9.1 (standard deviation: 10.6), and major impacts were related to feeling conscious of psychological discomfort (28.1%) and difficulty eating (24.4%) due to teeth, mouth or dentures. The multivariate analysis revealed higher oral health impact scores among non-White individuals [Prevalence ratios (PR)=1.33, 95% CI: 1.07-1.66; p=0.011], those with depressive symptoms (PR=1.61, 95% CI: 1.30-1.99; p<0.001), tobacco users (PR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.07-1.99; p=0.016), non-denture users (PR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.10-1.85, p=0.008), those with a perceived need for dental treatment (PR=1.99, 95% CI: 1.58-2.51; p<0.001) and those with poor or very poor self-rated oral health (PR=2.86, 95% CI: 1.93-4.24; p<0.001). Lower scores were found among individuals aged 80years or older (PR=0.52, 95% CI: 0.33-0.82; p=0.005) and those with household income of more than 1.5 times the minimum wage (PR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.46-0.93; p=0.018). ConclusionsThe findings of the present study underscore the need for public policies aimed at reducing social inequalities and providing adequate dental treatment to improve OHRQoL among elderly individuals.