Qualidade de vida em idosos e fatores associados

Abstract

The process of aging-related quality of life requires attention due to aspects of the increase in life expectancy worldwide, and the chronic diseases that accompany the aging process. This thesis was divided into three chapters: Chapter 1- Evaluated the association between oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) and the clinical characteristics (number of teeth, use and need of prosthesis), sociodemographic and sense of coherence, and whether the sense of coherence modifies the influence of clinical conditions on the OHRQoL. Chapter 2- Evaluated the mediating effect of the sense of coherence in the association between temporomandibular disorders and OHRQoL and quality of life in the elderly. Chapter 3- Evaluated the influence of participation or not in social centers for seniors on OHRQoL of the elderly. In the first chapter, the findings showed that individuals with high sense of coherence presented better OHRQoL, even after adjusting for clinical and sociodemographic conditions. It was concluded that the sense of coherence modifies the effect of the association of clinical and sociodemographic conditions on the OHRQoL, and can be a protective factor in adverse conditions. In Chapter 2, the results showed that temporomandibular disorders have no direct effect on OHRQoL and that the low sense of coherence mediates the effect of temporomandibular disorders on OHRQoL and quality of life. Finally, in chapter 3, after evaluation of the elderly who participate or not in social centers for seniors, it was observed that those who participate present better OHRQoL, regardless of the clinical, sociodemographic and psychosocial factors evaluated. Thus, from the results obtained in this thesis it was concluded that the high sense of coherence positively influence the quality of life and the OHRQoL, independently of the other factors evaluated. Additionally, the participation in social centers for seniors seems to be a good alternative to promote quality of life.