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Oral health of patients under short hospitalization period: observational study.
J Clin Periodontol. 2014 Jun;41(6):558-63
Authors: Sousa LL, e Silva Filho WL, Mendes RF, Moita Neto JM, Prado Junior RR
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of hospitalization on the oral health status of individuals hospitalized for a short period of time.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was an observational study of hospitalized patients. The plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI) was measured at baseline (T0 - first 24 h of hospital admission), and at 3 (T1), 7 (T2), 14 (T3) days.
RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-two patients were examined at baseline (T0), 35 examined at 3 days (T1), 23 at 7 days (T2) and 16 at 14 days (T3). The main reason for loss of patients was hospital discharge. The mean PI increased at T1 (0.97-1.21; p < 0.001), at T2 (1.06-1.30; p < 0.007) and at T3 (1.19-1.44; p < 0.03). Gingival index (GI) increased at T2 (0.74-0.96; p < 0.04) and at T3 (0.74-0.96; p < 0.02).
CONCLUSION: Oral health, assessed through PI and GI, deteriorates after a short period of hospitalization.
PMID: 24617503 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]