RESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The loss of a functional dentition imposes eating difficulties and food avoidance, which may be detrimental in terms of nutritional status and health. The objective of this study was to investigate whether tooth loss and edentulism that were not rehabilitated with dental prostheses were associated with obesity among elderly in Southern Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A random sample of 872 independently living elderly was evaluated by means of a cross-sectional study. Socio-demographic, medical history and behaviour data were assessed using a standardised questionnaire. Two trained dentists assessed the number of teeth and use of prostheses in accordance with the WHO criteria. Height and weight were assessed and used to generate body mass index (BMI = weight (kilos)/height (cm)(2)) data. Participants were categorised into non-obese (BMI
Asunto(s)
Arcada Edéntula/epidemiología , Obesidad/epidemiología , Pérdida de Diente/epidemiología , Actividades Cotidianas , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Índice de Masa Corporal , Brasil/epidemiología , Enfermedad Crónica , Estudios Transversales , Índice CPO , Prótesis Dental/estadística & datos numéricos , Dentadura Completa Superior/estadística & datos numéricos , Escolaridad , Etnicidad/estadística & datos numéricos , Femenino , Humanos , Renta/estadística & datos numéricos , Arcada Parcialmente Edéntula/epidemiología , Masculino , Estado Civil , Persona de Mediana Edad , Salud Rural/estadística & datos numéricos , Fumar/epidemiología , Salud Urbana/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Few studies have evaluated the relationship between depression symptoms, chronic stress or physiological measures of stress such as cortisol levels and saliva secretion. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of low saliva flow with chronic stress, depression symptoms and cortisol in a population aged 50 years and older. METHODS: Participants (n = 227) were recruited from community clubhouses and among dementia caregivers. Stress was assessed using the Lipp's Stress Symptoms Inventory and salivary cortisol measurements. In addition, taking care of a relative with dementia was included as a proxy variable for chronic stress. Depression was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory. Saliva flow rate was assessed by measuring unstimulated and chewing-stimulated saliva flow. Further saliva samples were collected (morning, noon, night) for cortisol analysis by means of radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Gender, being a dementia caregiver, self-reported diabetes and prescriptive medication intake were independently associated with a low stimulated saliva flow. Prescriptive medication intake was also associated with a low unstimulated saliva flow. CONCLUSION: Caregiving, a proxy of chronic stress, was associated with low stimulated saliva flow, indicating that stress may have a potential role in salivary gland hypofunction.