Autopercepção da doença periodontal em idosos

Resumo (EN)

Introduction – Epidemiological studies show high prevalence of periodontal disease in older subjects. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the self-perception of periodontal disease in na elder population, as well as its association with the actual prevalence of the disease. Material and Methods – Fifty functionally independent older subjects, 60 years of age or more, participated in this study. Eligible subjects were examined and interviewed to gather socio-demographic (sex, age, degree of scholarship of the father and the mother), clinical (presence of periodontal disease), behavioral (smoking) and subjective (self-perception of gingival condition) data. Subjective data was based on the GOHAI questionnaire. A pre-test of the questionnaire was performed, as well as its calibration and the calibration of clinical variables. Results – There was no association between smoking and periodontal disease (p = 0.40). Individuals presented low self-perception of periodontal problems, gingival bleeding, gingival recession and calculus presence. According to an univariate regression analysis, only clinically detected mobility exerted an influence on the perception of periodontal problems. Subjects presenting mobility had a 4.48 more chance of answering they had any periodontal problem. Conclusion – The self-perception of periodontal disease in older subjects was low. Individuals presenting tooth mobility presented more chance to anwer they had any periodontal problem.