Estudo das queixas sobre saúde bucal em uma população de idosos na cidade de Ribeirão Preto-SP

Virulence factors of Candida species from the oral mucosa and prostheses of elderly people from a riverside community in the Amazon state, Brazil

Abstract Introduction Candida albicans is the yeast most commonly affecting the oral cavity, sometimes causing infection. However, several factors may be associated with the onset of candidiasis, which may be related not only to the hygiene and health of individuals, but also to the pathogenicity of these microorganisms. Objective To evaluate the virulence factors of Candida yeasts isolated from the oral mucosa of elderly people living in the “Comunidade Lago do Limão”, municipality of Iranduba, Amazonas state, Brazil. Material and method Testes were performed to assess the production of urease, proteinase, phospholipase and hemolysin. Statistical analysis used the Fisher's exact test and the Chi-squared test. Result Prevalence of non-albicans species was observed. As for virulence factors, all isolates were negative ureases, and there was prevalence of very strong proteinase production, whereas most isolates did not produce this enzyme in the phospholipase test. All yeasts analyzed presented hemolysin production, with grade IV hemolysis as the most prevalent. There was no statistically significant difference between the virulence of isolates from the oral cavity and the prostheses of the elderly analyzed. Conclusion Several virulence factors may present with high intensity in the presence of oral microbiota changes. In addition, non-albicans species present number of virulence factors similar to that of C. albicans, with high pathogenicity. This study allows a better analysis of candidiasis prevention strategies aiming to promote improvement in the health and quality of life for the elderly.

Diabetes mellitus referido e fatores associados em idosos residentes em Campina Grande, Paraíba

OBJETIVO: Verificar a prevalência de diabetes mellitus referido e fatores associados em idosos residentes em Campina Grande-PB. METODOLOGIA: Trata-se de estudo transversal, de base populacional e domiciliar, com indivíduos de 60 anos de idade ou mais, de ambos os sexos. O diabetes mellitus referido foi considerado variável dependente para fins de análise e de estudo das possíveis associações. As variáveis independentes avaliadas foram: grupo etário, situação conjugal, nível socioeconômico, estado nutricional, prática de atividade física regular, tabagismo e ingestão de bebida alcoólica. Para identificar os fatores associados ao diabetes mellitus referido, foram realizadas análises de regressão univariada e multivariada, por meio do SPSS 17.0. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 806 idosos (69,1% mulheres), com média etária de 72,4 anos (DP=8,76). A prevalência de diabetes mellitus referido foi de 14,7%. Tanto entre homens como entre mulheres, constatou-se maior prevalência do diabetes mellitus referido no grupo etário de 60 a 69 anos (50% e 48,2%, respectivamente). O diabetes mellitus referido esteve associado às variáveis sobrepeso/obesidade (IC95%: 1,028-4,248; p=0,042) e ingestão de bebidas alcoólicas (IC95%: 1,107-3,092; p=0,019) entre as idosas. Entre os homens, houve associação com a doença referida apenas com a ingestão de bebidas alcoólicas no passado (IC95%: 1,082-13,085; p=0,037). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados deste estudo sugerem influência do estado nutricional e da ingestão de bebidas alcoólicas (atual ou passada) sobre o diabetes mellitus referido em idosos. Conhecer os fatores modificáveis que influenciam essa doença é fundamental para subsidiar o planejamento de ações voltadas para promoção, prevenção e diagnóstico precoce desse agravo.

Socio-demographic and health characteristics of elderly individuals: support for health services

This is a sectional epidemiological study including a household survey. It describes the socio-demographic and health conditions of elderly individuals residing in Guarapuava, PR, Brazil. The study's sample consisted of 359 elderly individuals enrolled in primary health care units in the city. Interviews were conducted from January to April 2010 using sections I and II of the Brazil Old Age Schedule questionnaire. The results revealed that most interviewees were women (64.3%), health self-perception was considered 'good' by 54.6%, and the most prevalent diseases were hypertension (34.9%), diabetes mellitus (12,4%) and arthritis/arthrosis (12.2%). Most elderly individuals use dental prostheses (74.4%) and 56.5% wear glasses or contact lenses. The conclusion is that knowledge concerning the social, demographic, and health profiles of these individuals favors the implementation of actions specific to this age group by health providers, and helps managers to develop health indicators.