Fatores associados à percepção satisfatória sobre a capacidade mastigatória em idosos usuários da atenção básica de saúde de Itaqui, RS

Abstract

Chewing is a key factor in the consumption of food and the health maintenance of individuals, being responsible for the trituration of the food consumed, allowing swallowing. In the elderly, chewing undergoes several changes resulting from the natural aging process of the organism. The objective of the study was to observe the factors associated with the perception of masticatory capacity in elderly users of the Primary Health Care of Itaqui, RS, and their influence on the consistency of foods usually consumed. This is a cross-sectional study with elderly individuals, aged 60 years and older, users of Basic Health Care who attended the Basic Health Units of the municipality of Itaqui, RS, from May to June 2017. Data collection was performed through the application of general data questionnaires and questions related to the dental situation, eating habits and masticatory conditions. To compare some parameters with perception of masticatory capacity, this variable was dichotomized as "satisfactory" and "unsatisfactory". For the analyzes, Pearson’s correlation test was used, with a significance level of 5%. The sample consisted of 217 participants, aged between 60 and 93 years (mean 70.34 years, SD ± 6.9). It was observed a high frequency of dental loss, which generated high frequency of elderly users of dental prostheses. Regarding the changes in chewing conditions, 5.5% felt pain or discomfort when chewing food, 52.8% felt a need to drink liquids during the meal, 3.7% were unable to eat some food, 91.4% were satisfied with the comfort of the teeth and / or prostheses and 93.3% with the chewing condition. As to the consistency of the foods consumed usually, the majority of the sample (81.7%) indicated to consume diversified foods. The perception of masticatory capacity was classified as satisfactory by 75.1% of the sample. It was observed a significant relation (p <0.05) between satisfactory perception of masticatory capacity and comfort and fit of the prosthesis, discomfort or pain when chewing, impossibility of chewing some food, changes in chewing, satisfaction with the comfort of teeth and/or prostheses and satisfaction with the chewing condition. It is concluded that the perception of masticatory capacity was satisfactory for the most part and that there is no preference for food consistency. However, compensatory methods that facilitate the chewing process have been used during food consumption.