Salivary cortisol concentrations in institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly people

Authors

  • Tânia Adas Saliba Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba-Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
  • Ana Carolina Bernardes Machado Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba-Universidade Estadual Paulista (FOA/UNESP)
  • Suzely Adas Saliba Moimaz Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba-Universidade Estadual Paulista (FOA/UNESP)
  • Nemre Adas Saliba Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba-Universidade Estadual Paulista (FOA/UNESP)

Keywords:

elderly people, nursing home, oral health, hydrocortisone, aging.

Abstract

Introduction: due to the limitations inherent to the process of aging, institutionalization is a reality which may have an impact on the physical and psychological health status of elderly people.
Objectives: determine salivary cortisol concentrations in institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly people, and verify variables such as oral health and physical dependence.
Methods: a descriptive analytical cross-sectional study was conducted of a sample of 80 individuals, of whom 45 were institutionalized and 35 non-institutionalized. Oral clinical examination was performed to evaluate the use of and need for dental prostheses in the upper and lower arches. Saliva was collected to determine the concentration of cortisol, a biological marker of stress levels.
Results: most of the sample were totally edentulous elderly people: 84.44 % in the institutionalized group and 71.43 % in the non-institutionalized group. A lower rate of prosthesis use was found in the institutionalized sample than in the non-institutionalized sample (p= 0.0013). Analysis of salivary cortisol concentrations revealed significant differences between the groups, with higher values in the institutionalized group (p= 0.0397). Higher salivary cortisol concentrations were found among individuals with prosthetic needs, the difference being statistically significant (p= 0.0454).
Conclusions: institutionalized elderly people had higher salivary cortisol concentrations, greater prosthetic needs, and were more care dependent than the non-institutionalized group.

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Published

2018-10-16

How to Cite

1.
Saliba TA, Bernardes Machado AC, Saliba Moimaz SA, Adas Saliba N. Salivary cortisol concentrations in institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly people. Rev Cubana Estomatol [Internet]. 2018 Oct. 16 [cited 2025 Jun. 20];55(3):15-21. Available from: https://revestomatologia.sld.cu/index.php/est/article/view/1667

Issue

Vol. 55 No. 3 (2018): JUL- SEP

Section

Research Article

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