Xerostomia and hyposalivation in orthogeriatric patients with fall history and impact on oral health-related quality of life.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Falls are a common cause of morbidity and mortality in older people, and identification of risk indicators and risk factors to prevent falling is essential. Dry mouth (xerostomia and hyposalivation) can exacerbate conditions known to be fall risk indicators, such as nutritional status and sarcopenia. But there is little evidence regarding whether it is an independent risk factor for falling. We explored xerostomia prevalence and intensity and objective salivation rates in hospitalized geriatric patients to determine whether they were associated with an increased risk of falling.

Patients and methods

Hospitalized geriatric patients with and without a fall history were compared. We investigated several oral health issues including xerostomia, stimulated and unstimulate

SUBMITTER: Barbe AG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6188197 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature