Relação entre avaliação clínica e autopercepção de alterações mastigatórias em idosos

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to verify the relationship between the self-perception of the elderly and the diagnosis of mastication. Method: This is a cross-sectional study. Data collection was carried out through the collection protocol of the original project, the Screening of Masticatory Changes in the Elderly (RAMI) instrument, and the clinical evaluation of mastication with a record of the dental situation. Descriptive and analytical statistical analysis was performed. Results: The sample consisted of 79 elderly people, with an average age of 68.8 (± 5.98). There was no significant association between the diagnosis of mastication and questions from the RAMI instrument. It was found that 76 (96.2%) present masticatory alteration, of these 41 (97.6%) have no difficulty cutting food, 47 (95.9%) have no difficulty grinding food, 62 (95.4%) chew more on one side than the other, 55 (96.5%) no discomfort, 43 (93.5%) reduced speed, 38 (97.4%) are chewing less food to swallow, 61 (96.8%) do not make an effort, 50 (94.3%) prefer to eat softer foods, 42 (95.5%) do not notice a worsening in mastication. A significant negative weak correlation was found between the variable age, upper and lower arch dental elements, and lower arch and total dental elements. Conclusion: It was found that there is no relationship between the questions of the RAMI and the clinical evaluation of mastication, as the self-reported questions in the instrument were not sensitive to the identification of masticatory changes.