Oral health and its association with self-rated health in Colombian community-dwelling older adults

ObjectiveDetermine the association between different parameters of oral health and the self-rated health (SRH) in Colombian community-dwelling older adults. MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of the SABE-Colombia study performed in 2015. The dependent variable was defined as the SRH status assessed by the question "Compared with other people your age: Do you consider your health status to be: better, equal or worse?" The oral health parameters were edentulism, the GOHAI score and the use of dental prosthesis. Three multivariable logistic regression was performed compared better vs. worse, better vs. equal and equal vs. worse health status, adjusted by socio-demographic variables, comorbidities, and geriatric syndromes. ResultsAfter the exclusion of missing data, 18180 persons were included in the final analysis. 10.6, 37.6 and 51.6% persons reported worse, equal and better SRH, respectively. The worse SRH group had a higher proportion of > 80 years old persons, dependence, cognitive impairment, and depressive symptoms. The presence of edentulism and a low score of GOHAI were more frequent in the worse SHR group. After the multivariable logistic regression, all parameters of oral health status were associated with a worse SRH. ConclusionIn our study, the oral health parameters were associated with self-rated health status. This result supports the inclusion of oral health in comprehensive geriatric assessment.