Prevalence and health promotion actions related to hyposalivation and mouth discomfort in a nursing homesfor elders

• Autor(a) principal: Oliveira, Janayne de Sousa
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: Saintrain, Maria Vieira de Lima, Vilar, Nathalie Barreto Saraiva, Albuquerque, Firmina Hermelinda Anjo, Holanda, Ivanira Maria Moreira, Caldas, José Manuel Peixoto, Aragao, Janaína Alvarenga, Pos, Luciano Silva Figueiredo, Bezerra, Carina Bandeira, Vieira-Meyer, Anya Pimentel Gomes Fernandes
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/29437
• topic: Older People; Oral Health; Saliva; Health Promotion; Dry mouth; Hyposalivation.

Objectiveto verify the prevalence of hyposalivation inan institutionalized elder population and its relationship with oral discomfort. A cross-sectional study was conducted with older people living in a Nursing Homein Fortaleza-Brazil. Data collection occurred through the application of sociodemographic questionnaire; sialometry examination, test for evaluating the salivary flow speed; and by a subjective quantification of dry mouth intensity (Visual Analog Scale). Results: sixty-five older people aged between 61 and 91 years (mean74.5±8.0) were evaluated, 30(46.2%) were women and 35(53.8%) men. The majority had low monthly income (55;84.6%) and low schooling (44;67.7%). The mean salivary flow was 0.4 ±0.2, withvery low flow (0.1-0.3 ml/min) being more prevalent; females presented lower salivary flow (p=0.033) than males; there was an association between salivary flow and dry mouth sensation (p<0.001) and halitosis (p<0.001). The correlation between sialometry and VAS showed that the lower the salivary flow, the greater the perception of dry mouth sensation. Health promotion actions and treatment (proper hydration; tooth brushing; saliva stimulants) can be performed in order to minimize dry mouth/ hyposalivation impact on elders’ quality of life. Conclusion: Low salivary flow was prevalent in the study subjects. It interferes in oral discomfort and causes dry mouth sensation.