Abstract
OBJECTIVE:The objective of this study was to explore the factors associated with inadequate chewing in an adult and elderly population of a city in the southern region of Brazil.METHODS:This was a cross-sectional study based on a population home-based inquiry (DCH-POP) in southern Brazil. Individuals were interviewed by trained interviewers to create a standardized procedure. In a pilot study, the Questionnaire of Human Communication Disorders (DCH-POP) was created and validated to identify self-reported speech and language, swallowing and hearing disorders. The outcome was dichotomized into either having adequate chewing or not, as assessed by a series of questions about chewing ability. Analyses of absolute and relative frequencies were measured according to the studied variables. A Poisson regression was applied at a significance level of 5%.RESULTS:A total of 1,246 people were interviewed. Inadequate chewing was found in 52 (5.6%) individuals, with a higher prevalence in the elderly (11.8%) than in adults (5.2%). In the final model, the following factors were associated with inadequate chewing: being 61 years of age or older (prevalence ratio or PR=9.03; 95% CI: 1.20-67.91), loss of teeth and use of unadjusted prosthesis (PR=3.50; 95% CI: 1.54-7.95), preference for foods of soft consistency (PR=9.34; 95% CI:4.66-8.70) and difficulty in nasal breathing (PR=2.82; 95% CI: 1.31-6.06).CONCLUSION:Age, oral health status through dental prosthesis, preference for foods of soft consistency and difficulty breathing through the nose were factors associated with chewing inability in adults and the elderly.
Highlights
Out of the 1,500 subjects predicted in the HCD-POP study, 1,246 individuals were interviewed, 321 of whom were excluded from this analysis because they were under 18 years old
It was observed that inadequate chewing was found in only 5.6% of the interviewed population
This is the first study to assess adults and elderly individuals based on data from a population-based survey and a probabilistic sample stratified by multiple stages
Summary
It is considered the most important function of the stomatognathic system [1]and indicates the ability to crush, grind and mix food with saliva, as well as the ability to form the bolus [2]. The act of chewing creates a relation of interdependence with nutritional conditions, since impaired chewing can decrease nutritional quality [3,4]. Tooth losses influence chewing function and efficiency [5,6]. It has been established that tooth loss is associated with the election of food consistency, difficulty in food deterioration, and poorer chewing ability [7].
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