Oral functional characteristics and gastrointestinal pathology: an epidemiological approach

One of the main problems for aged people is that of having a balanced diet, improved by correct conditioning of the alimentary bolus. Does the mastica tory status influence the appearance of gastrointestinal disorders? Such a question justifies the present study. The present work concerned all the pa tients (211) of eight geriatric institutions, and was completed by a retros pective approach (case-control study). The main result brought by the case- control study, showed that poor oral functional characteristics represent a risk for gastrointestinal pathology (age being neutralized; odds ratio (OR ): 2.62). This result indicates that the loss of teeth must be compensated by functionally effective dentures. Not only will the patients' physical an d psychic health improve but also medical and public health problems will b e solved.