The Association of Sociodemographic, Medical, and Cognitive Factors on Periodontal Health Status of a Geriatric Population in Turkey

Abstract

Objective: The longevity of life brings oral health issues, which should be managed in order to improve the quality of life. It is necessary to determine the oral health condition and its determinants for geriatric individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the sociodemographic, anthropometric, medical, and dental factors and cognitive status regarding their effects on, or associations with, “having periodontitis or not” in a geriatric population. Material and Methods: The sample comprised 200 older adults who applied to the Suleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Dentistry, between April 2017 and December 2018. Periodontal – plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing, clinical attachment loss and probing depth were measured and periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) was calculated –, anthropometric, and sociodemographic parameters, and cognitive status (Schulman score) were recorded. Results: The percentage of geriatric patients having periodontitis was 58%. The cognitive status determined as minor visuospatial disorganization (2.69±1.34). The Schulman score was correlated negatively by the number of teeth (rho=-0.154, p = 0.036), and with PI scores (rho=0.076, p=0.04). Due to the logistic regression analysis, lower education level, decreased number of teeth, and decreased salivary flow rate presented odds ratios (12.3, 1.18, and 3.944, respectively), and found associated with having periodontitis. Conclusions: Cognitive dysfunction results in decreased plaque removal efficacy; and education level, number of teeth, salivary flow rate and periodontal parameters have presented association with having periodontitis in this population.