Xerostomia and Oral Health–Related Quality of Life in Chilean Older Adults Living in Long-Term Care Facilities

IF 1.6 3区医学 Q2 DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE

Gerodontology Pub Date : 2026-08-21 Epub Date: 2026-02-22 DOI:10.1111/ger.70061

Felipe Rodríguez-Oria, Francisco Bravo Riveros, Paloma Barrios Neira, Maria Ignacia Letelier Albornoz, Benjamin Achondo Laage, Thomas Riffo Acuña, Andrés Celis Sersen, Duniel Ortuño Borroto

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Xerostomia, or the subjective sensation of dry mouth, is highly prevalent among older adults, particularly those living in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). This condition can impair essential oral functions such as chewing, swallowing and speaking, and has been consistently associated with reduced oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Despite its clinical relevance, no previous studies have evaluated the impact of xerostomia on OHRQoL in Chilean older adults living in LTCFs—a population characterized by high levels of frailty, polypharmacy and poor oral health.

Objective

To describe the association between xerostomia and oral health-related quality of life among older adults living in LTCFs in Chile.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study in 11 LTCFs in Santiago, Chile, including 102 adults aged 60 and over. Xerostomia was assessed using the Spanish version of the Xerostomia Inventory (XI) and OHRQoL was measured using the validated OHIP-14Sp questionnaire. Clinical oral health status was evaluated following WHO criteria, including DMFT index, prosthesis use and occlusal support (Eichner Index). Linear regression and negative binomial models were used to assess the association between xerostomia and OHRQoL, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Xerostomia was reported by 55.9% of participants and was significantly more common in women than in men (70% vs. 38%, p = 0.043). Participants with xerostomia had higher OHIP-14 scores (median: 9 vs. 2; p < 0.0001), and a strong positive correlation was observed between XI and OHIP-14 scores (slope = 0.44; R² = 0.327). In adjusted negative binomial regression models, greater xerostomia severity was associated with worse oral health–related quality of life, with higher Xerostomia Inventory scores associated with increased OHIP-14 scores (IRR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03–1.08).

Conclusion

Xerostomia was highly prevalent among older adults living in urban LTCFs and associated with impaired OHRQoL. These findings underscore the need for systematic screening, prevention and management strategies for xerostomia in LTCFs to improve the well-being of this vulnerable population.

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居住在长期护理机构的智利老年人口干症和口腔健康相关生活质量

背景：口干症，或主观感觉口干，在老年人中非常普遍，特别是那些生活在长期护理机构（ltcf）的老年人。这种情况会损害咀嚼、吞咽和说话等基本口腔功能，并一直与口腔健康相关生活质量（OHRQoL）下降有关。尽管具有临床意义，但之前没有研究评估过口干症对生活在ltcf的智利老年人OHRQoL的影响，ltcf是一个以高度虚弱、多种药物治疗和口腔健康状况不佳为特征的人群。目的：描述智利ltcf老年人口干症与口腔健康相关生活质量之间的关系。材料和方法：我们在智利圣地亚哥的11个ltcf中进行了一项横断面研究，包括102名60岁及以上的成年人。使用西班牙语版的口干量表（XI）评估口干症，使用经验证的OHIP-14Sp问卷测量OHRQoL。临床口腔健康状况按照WHO标准进行评估，包括DMFT指数、假体使用和咬合支持（Eichner指数）。使用线性回归和负二项模型来评估口干症与OHRQoL之间的关系，并对潜在的混杂因素进行调整。结果：55.9%的参与者报告了口干症，女性比男性更常见（70%比38%，p = 0.043）。口干症患者的OHIP-14评分较高（中位数：9比2；p 2 = 0.327）。在调整后的负二项回归模型中，口腔干燥严重程度越高，口腔健康相关生活质量越差，口腔干燥量表评分越高，o嘻哈-14评分越高（IRR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03-1.08）。结论：口干症在生活在城市ltcf的老年人中非常普遍，并与OHRQoL受损相关。这些发现强调有必要对ltcf患者的口干症进行系统的筛查、预防和管理策略，以改善这一弱势群体的福祉。

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来源期刊

Gerodontology 医学-老年医学

CiteScore

4.10

自引率

10.00%

发文量

审稿时长

3-6 weeks

期刊介绍： The ultimate aim of Gerodontology is to improve the quality of life and oral health of older people. The boundaries of most conventional dental specialties must be repeatedly crossed to provide optimal dental care for older people. In addition, management of other health problems impacts on dental care and clinicians need knowledge in these numerous overlapping areas. Bringing together these diverse topics within one journal serves clinicians who are seeking to read and to publish papers across a broad spectrum of specialties. This journal provides the juxtaposition of papers from traditional specialties but which share this patient-centred interest, providing a synergy that serves progress in the subject of gerodontology.