Evaluation of the cognitive-functional factors and the state of oral health in adults aged between 65-75 years and 75 years and above. An epidemiologic multicentric transversal study

Abstract

S3the colonization of prosthetic surfaces by respiratory pathogens creates a reservoir which produces respiratory infections. Oral care in these facilities is mostly poor and routine mechanic hygiene is prevented most of the times by lack of means and cooperation. Therefore, the aim of this study has been to analyse the risk factors of this disease in institutionalized patients, as well as to evaluate the association between the lack of oral care and the increase of NHAP rate. Oral features and hygiene procedures in order to decrease said rate were also studied. Material and Methods: A bibliographic search was conducted in the main search engines, introducing as key words "edentulism", "aspiration pneumonia", "oral care" and "nursing homes". Research papers about hospitalized patients or patients with mechanical ventilation were discarded. Results: The search yielded a total of 8 studies, in which dysphagia, feeding dependency, and built up of respiratory pathogens on oral and prosthetic surfaces were the main risk factors observed for NHAP. Conclusions: The lack of oral hygiene in elderly patients is a risk factor for NHAP. The development of routine hygiene procedures in these facilities is paramount in the decrease of the incidence of this disease, hence, more studies should be undertaken in order to establish the most efficient method to achieve an adequate hygiene and a morbidity reduction. Objective: The evaluation of cognitive-functional factors and the state of oral health in adults aged between 65-75 years and 75 years and above treated in three different Dentistry Services in The Community of Madrid. Materials and Methods: An epidemiologic multicentric transversal study was conducted with a sample of 592 patients. The following information was collected from each patient: age, gender, concomitant pathology, medication, family support, evaluation of functional capacity (Katz index, Lawton and Brody index) and state of oral health. Results: According to the epidemiologic indexes evaluated, the average Katz index in third age patients (65-75 years old) was 5.1±1.7 and in fourth age patients (75 years old +) was 4.6±1.8. According to the Lawton and Brody index, it was found that third age patients were more independent than fourth age patients. Furthermore it was found that females in both age brackets were more independent than males. According to oral health, in third age patients, 75% had dental roots, 59.1% had periodontal problems, 79% had periimplantitis illnesses and 34% had oral infections. In fourth age patients 85% had dental roots, 71.5% had periodontal problems, 88.5% had periimplantitis illnesses and 39.2% had oral infections. Conclussions: Fourth age patients have a lower cognitive-functional capacity and worse state of oral health than third age patients.