Oral health and depressive symptoms among older adults: longitudinal study

The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of depressive symptoms and determine the association with oral health variables in older adults belonging to an oral health cohort.

A prospective longitudinal study was conducted between 2009 and 2015. A standardized questionnaire was administered to collect demographic-socioeconomic variables and self-perceived oral health status. The clinical oral examinations were performed by examiners who had undergone training and calibration exercises. Depressive symptoms (outcome) were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), with a score of five points or higher considered indicative of the presence of depressive symptoms.

A total of 439 and 163 older adults (≥60 years of age) were evaluated in 2009 and 2015, respectively. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 18.3% in 2009 and 28.5% in 2015. In the adjusted Poisson regression model, older adults who experienced tooth loss between 2009 and 2015 (PR = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.01-3.53) and those with a sensation of dry mouth in 2015 but not in 2009 (PR = 3.25 95% CI: 1.56-6.72) were at greater risk of exhibiting depressive symptoms.

In this study, the prevalence of depressive symptoms was considerable. Older adults with tooth loss between 2009 and 2015 and those with a perception of dry mouth were at greater risk of exhibiting depressive symptoms, which underscores the importance of including a dentist as part of the health team for the prevention and treatment of mental health problems.