Medical status, functional status and drug utilization patterns of a population of older dental patients in Winnipeg,...

Despite the wealth of epidemiological studies that have evaluated the oral health status of older Canadian dental patients, comprehensive epidemiologic data on their medical status, functional status and drug utilization patterns are deficient. To address this deficiency, the authors evaluated 170 older dental patients (> or = 65 years, mean = 82 years, sex distribution = 77.1 per cent female, 22.9 per cent male) in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Study participants averaged five medical conditions per person (males = females). The most prevalent conditions were vision deficits, cardiovascular disorders and orthopedic problems. Functional assessment of the Activities of Daily Living revealed that study participants were essentially independent. Within the study population, 90 per cent were taking at least one medication (mean = 2.8 drugs per person), most of which were analgesics, diuretics and gastrointestinal agents. Drug utilization rates were consistent with other studies that have evaluated prescribing patterns in community-dwelling older Canadian adults.