Oral infections, comorbidities and sensory evidences in elderly: Cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Oral infections affect the general health and overlap with chronic diseases due to infectious-immune mechanisms. On the other side, sensory abnormalities may be symptoms of this association.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of oral infections, comorbidities, health parameters and sensory abnormalities in elderly patients.

METHODS: Thirty (30) elderly with mean age 70.4 yo, distributed according to ages were evaluated with a protocol that included demographics, comorbidities, medications, laboratory tests, blood pressure, heart rate, mini-mental state examination, clinical oral evaluation and systematized sensory testing (gustative, olfactory, thermal, mechanical and pain thresholds). Data were tabled and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS: Twenty-three (76.6%) subjects had chronic diseases that increased according to the age. Seventeen (56.7%) elderly were having medication. Mean probing pocket depth was 1.90mm±0.39mm, mean clinical attachment level was 0.76mm±0.54mm and mean gingival bleeding index was 29.10%±29.05%. All periodontal indexes increased with age (p <0.05) and were associated with comorbidities and use of medication. Patients with chronic diseases had more numbness and pricking sensations (p=0.031; p=0.000). Main sensory findings were: abnormal gustative and vibratory thresholds, which were associated with hematological parameters (blood count, cholesterol levels and glycaemia). Periodontal parameters were associated with facial cold threshold (p=0.000).

CONCLUSION: This study showed an association between systemic diseases, periodontal indexes and sensory thresholds. Sensory findings were associated with blood parameters and are potential tools for periodical health evaluation. Inflammatory or neural mechanisms need further investigation.