Percepção da saúde bucal e avaliação nutricional em idosos de um município do sul do Brasil: um estudo longitudinal

Abstract

Human aging is a natural process that occurs gradually and irreversibly in the structure and functioning of organs, causing physiological, physical and mental changes, which may include oral and nutritional changes. The general objective of this thesis was to evaluate the self-perception of oral health and associated factors of elderly people in a city in southern Brazil. The specific objectives were: to verify the perception of the oral health of elderly people, based on a longitudinal study; verify changes in oral health perception and its relationship with nutritional status and general health of the elderly; analyze which socioeconomic factors were related to possible changes in the perception of oral health and general health of the elderly. To meet the objectives, two scientific productions were developed, presented in the form of articles. First production, Chapter 3, aimed to identify the changes that occurred over time in the perception of oral health and associated factors of elderly people in a city in southern Brazil. The study population was made up of all people living in the urban and rural areas of the city of Coxilha-RS, aged ≥ 60 years, interviewed in 2010 (Cohort A) and 2021 (Cohort B). In the first wave, 335 elderly people were evaluated, of which 156 are still alive and agreed to participate in Cohort B. Data collection took place through a household survey. For qualitative variables, univariate frequency distributions (absolute and relative) were presented. To verify the association between selfperceived oral health and other variables, Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was applied. To evaluate the effect of independent variables on the outcome, crude and adjusted Poisson regression was conducted with a pvalue≤ 0.20 and a significance level of 5%. In the results found, self-perception of oral health was very good/good in 2010 and 2021 and the positive perception of oral health continued over the years. In the bivariate analysis, the incidence of negative self-perception of health was associated with older age group (≥ 80 years), male sex, partial presence of natural teeth, negative general health and visit to the dentist 1 to 2 years before the interview. The second production, Chapter 4, aimed to verify the self-perception of oral health and the relationship with the nutritional status of elderly people in a city in southern Brazil. Responding to this objective, an observational, cross-sectional, home-based study was carried out. The study population was made up of all elderly people living in the city in 2021 (560 elderly people). 520 elderly people agreed to participate in the research and 511 answered the self-perception of oral health question. The prevalence of negative self-perception of oral health was higher in elderly men and those who were malnourished or at nutritional risk. These results reinforce the importance of public health in monitoring the elderly population. Strengthening the bond and improving health practices for the elderly. It is expected to assist in the future proposal of public policies in the municipality and contribute to assertive care for the elderly population