Abstract
Edentulism is associated with various adverse health outcomes but treatment options in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are limited. Data on its prevalence and its effect on mental health and overall-health is lacking, especially from LMICs. Self-reported data on complete edentulism obtained by standardized questionnaires on 201,953 adults aged ≥18 years from 50 countries which participated in the World Health Survey (WHS) 2002–2004 were analyzed. Age and sex-standarized edentulism prevalence ranged from 0.1% (95% CI = 0.0–0.3) (Myanmar) to 14.5% (95% CI = 13.1–15.9) (Zimbabwe), and 2.1% (95% CI = 1.5–3.0) (Ghana) to 32.3% (95% CI = 29.0–35.8) (Brazil) in the younger and older age groups respectively. Edentulism was significantly associated with depression (OR 1.57, 95% CI = 1.23–2.00) and poor self-rated health (OR 1.38, 95% CI = 1.03–1.83) in the younger group with no significant associations in the older age group. Our findings highlight the edentulism-related health loss in younger persons from LMICs. The relative burden of edentulism is likely to grow as populations age and live longer. Given its life-long nature and common risk factors with other NCDs, edentulism surveillance and prevention should be an integral part of the global agenda of NCD control.
Highlights
Edentulism shares the same cluster of known modifiable risk factors as other NCDs such as smoking, alcohol use, and unhealthy carbohydrate-rich dietary behaviors3 - conditions highly prevalent or increasing at rapid rates in LMICs9
Edentulism was associated with depression for all age groups, except for persons ≥61 years odds ratios (ORs) 0.86
Odds ratios for edentulism and self-rated health were quantitatively similar to the main analyses and showed a trend for association in the 31–49 years and 50–60 years age groups
Summary
Edentulism shares the same cluster of known modifiable risk factors as other NCDs such as smoking, alcohol use, and unhealthy carbohydrate-rich dietary behaviors3 - conditions highly prevalent or increasing at rapid rates in LMICs9. Apart from these individual factors, edentulism is strongly associated with lack or limited access to dental care and fluoridated water and higher income inequalities, which are conditions more common in LMICs. For example, in many resource-limited settings, tooth extraction is the only cure available for dental problems; a practice that leads to early tooth loss[10]. We aimed to: (1) estimate the prevalence of edentulism in WHS countries, (2) investigate the correlates of edentulism, and (3) assess how edentulism is associated with depression and decrement in self-rated health in LMICs
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
