Assessment of Cortisol, Halitosis and Oral Health in Institutionalized and Non-institutionalized Elderly People

TL;DR

This study compares the oral health and quality of life between elderly people living in institutions and those living independently.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into the relationship between institutionalization, oral health, and quality of life in elderly populations.

Findings

Institutionalized elderly showed higher salivary flow, while non-institutionalized had higher salivary cortisol levels.

Non-institutionalized participants reported better physical quality of life despite similar oral health conditions.

Both groups used maxillary prostheses, but non-institutionalized participants used more partial mandibular prostheses.

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the perception of quality of life of institutionalized elderly people (MB group) in comparison with non-institutionalized elderly people (CLIN group), in addition to comparing these results with dental indices.

Both men and women aged 60 years and older were included in the study. Anthropometric and cardiac measurements were taken, in addition to applying specific questionnaires: the GOHAI, aimed at geriatric oral health, and the SF-36, which investigates quality of life.

The Mann-Whitney test (α < 0.05) was used for statistical analysis. No statistically significant differences were observed in the GOHAI domains. Despite the intensive care offered by the institution, non-institutionalized participants reported a better physical quality of life.

The participants presented similar overall oral health conditions. The institutionalized participantsshowed a higher salivary flow. Non-institutionalized participants showed higher salivary cortisollevels. Halitosis proved to be similar. The participants in both groups predominantly used totalmaxillary prostheses, but those in the non-institutionalized group used more partial mandibularprostheses. No differences were found in self-perceived health among the participants. The non-institutionalized participants presented better physical health; however, mental health was similarbetween the two groups.