Geriatric Characterization of Older Persons with Deficient Removable Dental Prostheses

Aging is a gradual and adaptive process that entails a series of changes, leading to reduced functional and physiological capacity. Each elderly person presents heterogeneous health conditions that must be considered by the interdisciplinary team responsible for their functional maintenance and overall health. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on elderly individuals with deficient removable dental prostheses, treated at the dental prosthetic rehabilitation centre of Hospital Del Salvador, in Santiago de Chile between the years 2021 and 2023. Instruments and indices were used to record and measure muscular conditions, such as the hand grip strength measurements, the Timed Up and Go test, and the calf circumference measurement. Information on educational levels, geriatric syndromes, chronic diseases, and medication consumption was collected. Of the participants, 58.9 % were female, and 41.1 % were male, with a mean age of 84.2 years for males and 80.4 years for females. 20.8 % had access to higher education, and 22.6 % lived alone. 78.5 % had lost all posterior support zones. 81.5 % had visual impairments; 36.3 % had auditory impairments, and 31.5 % had experienced one or more falls in the last 6 months. The mean sum of medications consumed per person was 4.32. The most prevalent morbidities were arterial hypertension (66.4 %) and type II diabetes (32.7 %). Means values for male/ female were: Hand Grip Strength 27.84 Kg/17.99 kg, Timed Up and Go 14.3 sec/14.9sec, BMI 27.16/ 26.44, and calf circumference 35.5 cm /35.2cm, values were within the normal range of values. The data collected is important to consider when treatment planning and implementing actions aimed at maintaining oral and general functionality. These aspects should be addressed from a multidimensional perspective, including risk factors, in both the diagnosis and dental treatments.

Envejecer es un proceso gradual y adaptativo que conlleva cambios, que reducen la capacidad funcional y fisiológica. Cada persona mayor presenta condiciones de salud heterogéneas que deben ser consideradas por el equipo interdisciplinario a cargo de su mantención funcional y estado de salud. Estudio descriptivo, corte transversal, en personas mayores portadoras de prótesis dentales removibles deficientes, del servicio dental de rehabilitación protésica del Hospital Del Salvador de Santiago de Chile, entre los años 2021-2023. Se emplearon instrumentos e índices para realizar registro y medición de condiciones musculares como fuerza de presión manual, prueba Timed Up and Go y medición del perímetro de pantorrilla. Se recolectó información asociada a nivel de escolaridad, síndromes geriátricos, enfermedades crónicas y cantidad de fármacos que consumen. Un 58,9 % eran mujeres, la edad media de hombres fue de 84,2 años y la de mujeres fue de 80,4 años. Un 20,8 % tuvo acceso a educación superior. El 22,6 % vive solo. Un 78,5 % ha perdido todas las zonas de soporte dentario posterior. Un 81.5 % tiene alteraciones visuales; un 36.3 % alteraciones auditivas; un 31.5 % ha tenido 1 o más caídas en los últimos 6 meses. La media de fármacos fue de 4.32 por persona. Las morbilidades más prevalentes fueron hipertensión arterial (66.4 %) y diabetes tipo II (32,7 %). Los valores promedios encontrados para hombres/mujeres en fuerza de prensión manual fueron 27,84 Kg/17,99 kg, Timed Up and Go fueron 14,3 sec / 14,9 sec, IMC 27,16/ 26,44 y perímetro de pantorrilla 35,5 cm / 35,2 cm. Todos los datos clasificaron en el rango de normalidad. Las características observadas son importantes a considerar al momento de planificar tratamientos e implementar medidas orientadas a mantener funcionalidad oral y general. Éstas deben ser abordadas desde una mirada multidimensional, incluyendo los factores de riesgo, tanto en el diagnóstico como su tratamiento odontológico.

Effect of periodontal treatment in patients with periodontitis and diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract The evidence is inconclusive regarding the effect of periodontal treatment on glycemic control and systemic inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and periodontitis Objective: To evaluate the effect of scaling and root planing (SRP) on the metabolic control and systemic inflammation of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methodology: A literature search was conducted using the MEDLINE database via PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, from their oldest records up to July 2018. Only randomized clinical trials (RCT) were considered eligible for evaluating the effect of periodontal treatment on markers of metabolic control [glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C)] and systemic inflammation [C-reactive protein (CRP)] in patients with T2D. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration risk assessment tool. Meta-analyses were performed for HbA1c and CRP using random effects models. The size of the overall intervention effect was estimated by calculating the weighted average of the differences in means (DM) between the groups in each study. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Q-statistic method (x2 and I²). The level of significance was established at p<0.05. Results: Nine RCT were included. SRP was effective in reducing HbA1c [DM=0.56 (0.36-0.75); p<0.01] and CRP [DM=1.89 (1.70-2.08); p<0.01]. No heterogeneity was detected (I2=0%, p>0.05). Conclusions: SRP has an impact on metabolic control and reduction of systemic inflammation of patients with T2D.