Impacto psicossocial relacionado a saúde bucal em doenças reumatológicas

Abstract

Rheumatologic diseases are associated with multiple complaints that are often related to psychological distress and fatigue. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychosocial profile related to oral health in patients with rheumatic diseases. A cross-sectional study was carried out and 89 patients diagnosed with rheumatic diseases in regular follow-up were evaluated at the Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic of the University Hospital of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora. Socio-demographic characteristics, CPOD index, xerostomia questionnaire, depression questionnaire and oral health impact profile questionnaire (OHIP-14) were analyzed. The data obtained in the present study indicate the occurrence of severe xerostomia in 67% of the sample and a high CPOD index (mean of 17.21), correlated with oral health-related quality of life (OHIP-14) and the presence of depression in patients with rheumatic diseases. These findings highlight the importance of a careful dental evaluation, investigating signs and symptoms of oral diseases, which are often neglected. Furthermore, they reinforce the importance of promoting oral health in this specific population, since they are treatable clinical conditions.