Abstract
This study aimed was to test the association between quality of life and edentulism among elderly individuals in a city in southeastern Brazil. This cross-sectional study was carried out with 163 individuals aged 60 years or older, functionally independent and non-institutionalized. Data were collected with a questionnaire and oral examination. The edentulism was the dependent variable. The independent variables were sex, age, household income and quality of life (WHOQOL-Old) and their scores. To assess the association between the dependent variable and independent variables was used bivariate analysis (p < 0.10). Poisson regression model was performed, adjusting for age and sex. The average age of participants was 69 years (± 6.1), 68.7% were female and 52.8% were diagnosed as completely edentulous (90% CI: 0.33–1.24). When the independent variables were associated to the prevalence of edentulism, statistically significant associations were found for age (p = 0.03) and social participation dimension of the WHOQOL-Old (p = 0.08). In the Poisson regression, social participation remained statistically associated to edentulism {RP = 2.12 [90% CI (1.10–4.00)]}. The social participation proved to have a significant association to edentulism, thereby attesting to the negative effect of this condition on social aspects.
Highlights
The ageing of the population in recent decades is a common phenomenon in both developed and developing countries
The city is divided into 19 urban administrative districts and has 48 Basic Healthcare Units (BHUs), 35 of which participate in the Family Health Program
When the independent variables were associated to the prevalence of edentulism, statistically significant associations were found for age (p = 0.03) and social participation (p = 0.08)
Summary
The ageing of the population in recent decades is a common phenomenon in both developed and developing countries. This demographic transition is occurring as a result of changes in health indicators, such as a reduction in birth and mortalities rates and a longer life expectancy [1]. A large portion of these individuals have low buying power, a low degree of schooling, difficulties in access to cultural assets and healthcare and have experienced a loss or inversion of social roles. This population is more exposed to factors that compromise quality of life [3]. Studies of this type seek to establish associations between wellbeing and ageing, thereby contributing toward the understanding of ageing and the limits of human development [4]
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