Miranda Muhvić Urek

Oral sensorial complaints, salivary flow rate and mucosal lesions in the institutionalized elderly.

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of oral sensorial complaints, salivary flow rate and oral mucosal lesions in the institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly. The study included 280 institutionalized and 61 non- institutionalized elderly people. Dry mouth, burning mouth sensations, taste disturbances, salivary flow rate and oral mucosal lesions were assessed and compared between groups. A greater number of the institutionalized elderly had dry mouth (P = 0.001) and taste disturbance (P = 0.035) compared to non-institutionalized elderly. The institutionalized elderly also had significantly lower salivary flow rate (P < 0.0001). Positive correlation was found between salivary flow rate and perception of dry mouth in the institutionalized elderly (r(s) = 0.26; P < 0.05), as well as in the non-institutionalized elderly (r(s) = 0.35; P < 0.05). Moreover, positive correlation was observed between salivary flow rate and the sensation of burning mouth in the institutionalized elderly (r(s) = 0.13; P < 0.05) and non-institutionalized elderly (r(s) = 0.31; P < 0.05). The number of institutionalized elderly people with oral mucosal diseases was higher compared with non-institutionalized ones (P = 0.01). The most common oral mucosal lesions in both groups were related to wearing dentures. It can be concluded that the institutionalized elderly are significantly affected with oral sensorial complaints, including dry mouth and taste disturbance, as well as decreased salivary flow rate and oral mucosal diseases compared with the non-institutionalized elderly.

SALIVARY FLOW RATE, ORAL YEAST COLONIZATION AND DENTAL STATUS IN INSTITUTIONALIZED AND NON-INSTITUTIONALIZED ELDERLY

Elderly people, especially those institutionalized in long-term care facilities, are at risk of various oral diseases. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of hyposalivation and colonization/oral fungal infection of oral cavity with yeasts, as well as dental status in institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly. The study included 280 institutionalized and 61 non-institutionalized elderly people. Salivary flow rate, oral colonization with yeasts/oral infection and dental status were assessed and compared between the groups. The institutionalized elderly had a significantly lower salivary flow rate (p=0.035). Oral colonization with yeasts was more frequently found in institutionalized elderly (p<0.001) as compared with non-institutionalized elderly. A negative correlation was found between decreased salivary flow rate and oral yeast colonization and oral fungal infection in both the institutionalized (rs=-0.58; p<0.05) and non-institutionalized (rs=-0.52; p<0.05) groups. A significant difference in DMFT index was observed between the two groups (p<0.001). A negative correlation between decreased salivary flow rate and dental status was found in both the institutionalized (rs=-0.22; p<0.05) and non-institutionalized (rs=-0.56; p<0.05) groups. The results revealed a significantly higher level of hyposalivation and oral yeast colonization and poorer dental status in the institutionalized group as compared with the non-institutionalized group of elderly people.