Association between symptoms of depression and oral health conditions

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the symptoms of depression and oral health status in Brazilian public healthcare system users.

Materials and methods: Analysis of a cross-sectional study conducted with a sample of 776 individuals aged 15 years or older, in the urban areas of Recife (Brazil), obtained by multistage sampling. Committee on Ethics in Research with Human Beings (CAAE) 0538.0.172.172-11. Depression symptoms were verified by means of Axis II of the Research Diagnostic Criteria in Temporomandibular Disorder. For the socioeconomic level, the economic classification criteria of the Brazilian Association of Research Companies and clinical exam record charts were used to establish variables related to oral health conditions.

Results: The variables discomfort on occlusion (OR = 1.882 CI = 1.384-2.560), gingival bleeding (OR = 1.384 CI = 1.002-1.912), and self-perception of oral health (OR = 1.549 CI = 1.054-2.277), remained in the regression model.

Conclusion: Discomfort on occlusion, self-perception of oral health, gingival bleeding, sex, and skin color were shown to be associated with the presence of depressive symptoms.

Keywords: depression; mental health; oral health.