Factors associated with self-perception of oral health in nonagenarian long-lived elderly: a longitudinal study from the AMPAL

Abstract

Identify which factors are associated with self-perception of oral health in long-lived nonagenarians. Analytical cross-sectional study with nonagenarian participants (≥90 years old) of the longitudinal monitoring project entitled “Atenção Multiprofissional ao Longevo – AMPAL” in the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul – Brazil. Sociodemographic aspects, clinical characteristics, nutritional status and self-perception of oral health (PHC) were the variables investigated. Descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression were performed (p<0.05). Participated 234 long-lived people, of whom the average age was 92.35±3.62 with good oral APS and 92.23±3.66 with poor oral health. In the final model, schooling, each year of study represented an 8% lower chance of having poor Oral APS (p=0.063). According to the GDS, long-lived individuals with normal exams had a 50% lower chance of having poor Oral PHA when compared to long-lived individuals with altered exams (p=0.088). Long-lived individuals with xerostomia had an 83% higher chance of having poor Oral PHA. The chewing classification was the variable with the greatest influence, with long-lived individuals with poor classification having significantly more chances of having poor Oral PHA (p<0.001). According to the body mass index, overweight long-lived individuals had a 15% lower chance of having poor Oral PHA than underweight long-lived individuals (p=0.0270). The majority of nonagenarians had good Oral PHA, with women reporting poorer Oral PHA. It was found that those who reported xerostomia, low weight and difficulty chewing were more likely to have poor oral self-perception.