Xerostomia and dysgeusia in the elderly: prevalence of and association with polypharmacy

Xerostomia is defined as the perception of dry mouth, and dysgeusia, as a change in taste. Both are common complaints in the elderly, especially among those making use of polypharmacy drug combinations. Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of xerostomia and dysgeusia and to investigate their association with polypharmacy in the elderly. Methods: older people under follow-up at the Multidisciplinary Elderly Center of the University Hospital of Brasília were interviewed and asked about health problems, medications used, presence of xerostomia and dysgeusia. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the prevalence of the symptoms surveyed. The chi-square test was used to investigate the relationship between xerostomia and dysgeusia and polypharmacy. Secondary associations were performed using binomial logistic regression. Results: Ninety-six older people were evaluated and of these, 62.5% had xerostomia and 21.1%, had dysgeusia. The average number of medications used was 4±3 medications per individual. Polypharmacy was associated with xerostomia but not dysgeusia. It was possible to associate xerostomia with the use of antihypertensive drugs. Conclusion: Xerostomia was a frequent complaint among elderly people making use of polypharmacy, especially those using antihypertensives. Antihypertensives and antidepressants were used most drugs by the elderly and exhibited interactions with drugs most prescribed in Dentistry. Two contraindications were found between fluconazole and mirtazapine; and between erythromycin and simvastatin

O Direito humano ao sorriso: uma análise do arcabouço legislativo sobre a saúde bucal / The human right to smile: an analyses of the legislative outline about oral health / El derecho humano a sonreír: un análisis del contorno legislativo sobre la salud oral

A saúde bucal da população tem reflexo na saúde integral e na qualidade de vida de toda a sociedade. As mudanças nos padrões das doenças guardam estreita relação com as alterações nos estilos de vida, que incluem dietas ricas em açúcares, uso de tabaco e álcool, sedentarismo e estresse crônico. Assim, a investigação do tema é um importante instrumento no planejamento de programas de prevenção e tratamento. Foi verificada a presença do tema saúde bucal no arcabouço legislativo federal no período de 1986 a 2014. Tratou-se de pesquisa exploratória de base descritiva-analítica, que utilizou a pesquisa documental. Foram levantados nos sítios das duas casas do Congresso Nacional e do Ministério da Saúde a legislação produzida nesse período. Os resultados encontrados demonstraram que o tema saúde bucal está no grupo de normas infralegais e o tema está presente na agenda governamental. A evolução legislativa no Brasil para o alcance do direito humano ao sorriso está ascendendo, mas faltam concretizações das ações. A saúde bucal ainda permanece à margem da saúde geral.

Population oral health is reflected by the overall health and quality of entire society life. Oral disease patterns seem to coincide with lifestyle choices, including diets high in sugar, the use of tobacco and alcohol, physical inactivity and chronic stress. Thus, in order to plan successful prevention and treatment programs for those suffering with oral diseases, research on topic is a must. The theme of public oral health has been seen in the federal legislative framework since 1986 up until 2014. During this period, exploratory research was based on descriptive-analytics. The subject is present on the government agenda and the educational role is important to achieve the eradication of the oral disease. Oral health care is still seen as less important than the overall health.

La salud oral de la población se refleja en el estado general de salud y en la calidad de vida de toda la sociedad. Los cambios en los patrones de las enfermedades están estrechamente relacionados con cambios en el estilo de vida, que incluyen las dietas con alto contenido de azúcar, el tabaco y el alcohol, la inactividad física y el estrés crónico. Por lo tanto, la investigación del tema es una herramienta importante en la planificación de programas de prevención y de tratamiento. Se verificó la presencia del tema de la salud oral en el marco legislativo federal para el período de 1986 a 2014. Se trata de un estudio exploratorio de base descriptiva-analítica, que utilizó la investigación documental. Se pesquisó, en los sitios web de ambas cámaras del Congreso y en el del Ministerio de Salud, la legislación promulgada durante ese período. Los resultados demostraron que la temática de la salud oral está en el conjunto de disposiciones infra legales y por lo tanto, el tema está presente en la agenda del gobierno. La salud oral aún sigue al margen de la salud general.