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 institutionalize...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Irena Glažar, Miranda Muhvić Urek, Davor Kuiš, Jelena Prpić, Ivana Mišković, Daniela Kovačević Pavičić, Sonja Pezelj-Ribarić
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sestre Milosrdnice University hospital, Institute of Clinical Medical Research 2016-01-01
Series:Acta Clinica Croatica
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/254339
Description
Summary: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.
ISSN:0353-9466
1333-9451