Condiciones de edentulismo y fragilidad en un grupo de personas mayores que acudieron a la clínica odontológica de la Universidad San Martín de Porres de Lambayeque, Perú.

Rubén Chumpitaz-Durand,Daniel Córdova-Sotomayor,Freddy Manayay-Llaguento

doi:10.17126/joralres.2021.051

Abstract

Introduction: Dentistry should contribute to achieving healthy aging based on the identification of the well-being and oral health needs of the elderly. Objective: To evaluate the conditions of edentulism and frailty in a group of elderly people treated at the dental clinic of Universidad San Martín de Porres in Lambayeque, Peru, between the years 2016 and 2018. Material and Methods: An observational, descriptive, retrolective, and cross-sectional study was conducted. Two hundred and seven medical records that included an odontogram were randomly selected to identify cases of total or partial edentulism according to the Kennedy classification. The files were assessed with Fried’s test to evaluate the conditions of frailty. The association between variables was estimated by means of a significance analysis using the Chi square test. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between edentulism in both jaws and conditions of frailty (p<0.05). An association of edentulism with physical inactivity and weakness was also demonstrated. Additionally, a statistically significant difference between degrees of edentulism was observed regarding poor diet (p<0.05). Conclusion: The absence of teeth in the elderly acts as a risk factor leading to negative changes in diet, weight, and physical activity. These changes may be associated with frailty, as masticatory insufficiency results in a poor diet and subsequent weakness.

Highlights

Dentistry should contribute to achieving healthy aging based on the identification of the well-being and oral health needs of the elderly
It is evident that complications caused by chronic degenerative diseases make old people extremely vulnerable and significantly increase their risk of mortality. 6,7 For this reason and in order to avoid permanent damage, it is necessary to act promptly and implement preventive measures aimed at ensuring healthy aging. 8,9 In Peru, the projection for the year 2021 is 3,726,524 elderly people.[10]
Correlation studies between the two study variables should be proposed. It should be noted as additional information that the most frequent classes of tooth loss correspond to Kennedy Class III and Class I, followed by Class II, while Class IV and cases of total edentulism were the ones that occurred less frequently, both in the upper and lower jaw

Summary

Introduction

Dentistry should contribute to achieving healthy aging based on the identification of the well-being and oral health needs of the elderly. Objective: To evaluate the conditions of edentulism and frailty in a group of elderly people treated at the dental clinic of Universidad San Martín de Porres in Lambayeque, Peru, between the years 2016 and 2018. Frailty is a condition characterized by a progressive decrease in the physiological reserves of multiple body systems, which worsens as the person gets older.[1]. This causes greater vulnerability to external conditions, which in turn leads to a greater probability of developing disorders that may affect old people’s health, well-being, and quality of life. Conclusion: La ausencia de dientes en las personas mayores funge como un factor de riesgo que contribuye a cambios desfavorables en la dieta, el peso y la actividad física, mismos que se asocian con la fragilidad, donde la insuficiencia masticatoria puede conducir a una deficiente alimentación y la consecuente debilidad

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