The Relationship among the Number of Teeth, Salivary Flow Rate, Oral Health-Related Quality of Life, and Depression in the Elderly Population in Korea

Abstract

Purpose: Depression is a condition that weakens psychosocial functioning and reduces qual ity of life. In Korea, the prevalence of depression among the elderly is 29.2% and depression is a considerable public health concern for the elderly. Depression has a statistically signifi cant relationship with oral conditions such as number of teeth and salivary flow rate. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is the concept including subjective evaluations of psychological, physical and social aspects of oral health. Tooth loss and hyposalivation can affect mental health and quality of life. Our study was designed to identify the relationship among the number of teeth, salivation, OHRQoL, and depressive symptoms in the elderly in Korea. Methods: We recruited 100 participants, aged over 65 years, and assessed their number of teeth, unstimulated salivary flow rate. All participants filled out oral health impact profile 14 (OHIP-14) and Zung self-rating depression score (SDS) for checking OHRQoL and depres sive symptoms. Statistical analysis was done by R program. Results: We found that the positive relationship between OHIP-14 and SDS after Mann– Whitney test (p=0.03). The lower SDS group had an OHIP-14 median score of 4. On the other hand, the higher SDS group had a median value of 7.5. The other factors (number of teeth and salivary flow rate) did not show correlations with OHIP-14 or SDS. Conclusions: OHRQoL and depressive symptoms have significant correlation.