Condição e percepção da saúde oral e estado nutricional de idosos institucionalizados em Salvador, Brasil

Abstract

Objective: to investigate the condition and perception of oral health and nutritional status of institutionalized older people. Method: a cross-sectional study of individuals aged ≥60 years living in two long-term care institutions (LTCI) in Salvador, the fourth largest city in Brazil. Oral health status was assessed clinically by intraoral examination and by self-perception of oral health according to the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Results: 61.1% of the 36 elderlies were female and the average age was 76.7 years. The clinical assessment showed that 41.7% were edentulous in both dental arches, 27.8% wore dentures in both arches and 36.1% wore ill-fitting dentures. Low perception of oral health was reported by 72.2% of the elderly. Risk of malnutrition or malnutrition was identified in 63.9% and of these 47.8% had edentulism in both arches. The use of poorly adapted prostheses and the presence of fewer than 21 natural teeth had the same percentage (47.8%). 82.6% of the elderly who were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition had a low perception of oral health. No statistically significant differences were found for the associations. Conclusion: poor oral health, low perception of this condition by the elderly and high prevalence of malnutrition/malnutrition risk were found. The importance of further research on this subject is highlighted, as well as the development of strategies for diagnosis and interventions in institutionalized populations.