ASSESSMENT OF ORAL HEALTH STATUS IN ELDERLY PATIENTS ON POLYPHARMACY

Abstract

Background: The oral health status of elderly adults has implications for general health problems. Polypharmacy for elderly adults is associated with an increased risk of potentially inappropriate medicines and many adverse drug events; however, no report has shown that polypharmacy itself is associated with complex oral problems.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the association between polypharmacy and oral health status in patients admitted to the recovery and rehabilitation ward.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 100 patients aged between 40-70. Oral health status was analyzed using various indices like OHIS, Plaque index, gingival index, DMFT.Cases of patients taking medications were defined as polypharmacy and were categorized. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between polypharmacy and oral health status.

Results: This study examined the oral health status of individuals in different age groups and their medication intake, presented as percentages out of 100 population. In the 40-50 age group, 20% took 1 medication, 12% took 2-3 medications, 9% took 4-5 medications, and 4% took more than 5 medications. Similarly, in the 50-60 age group, 15% took 1 medication, 17% took 2-3 medications, 10% took 4-5 medications, and 3% took more than 5 medications. Notably, in the 60-70 age group, no individuals took 1 medication, 5% took 2-3 medications, 4% took 4-5 medications, and 2% took more than 5 medications. Indices for assessing oral health were evaluated across medication intake groups. In the oral hygiene index, varying distributions were observed: from individuals taking 1 medication, 2% had good scores, 8% had fair scores, and 9% had poor scores. The plaque index showed differing levels of plaque accumulation, with percentages varying across medication intake groups. For instance, from individuals taking 1 medication, 3% had excellent plaque scores, while 15% had good scores, 13% had fair scores, and 3% had poor scores. Gingival health, as assessed by the gingival index, exhibited varying degrees of inflammation across medication intake groups. Finally, DMFT scores indicated different levels of dental caries experience, with varying percentages in different score ranges across medication intake groups.

Conclusion: Focusing on the number of medications may be helpful in detecting oral problems. These findings underscore the need for tailored interventions to address the oral health needs of elderly patients on polypharmacy.