Determinación social del edentulismo en pacientes adultos mayores de 60 años del hogar Miguel León, provincia del Azuay en el periodo 2024-2025

Abstract

Background: Over the years, instruments have been developed to measure patients' quality of life through surveys that identify issues related to dental disorders. The lack of dental care among older adults contributes to a decline in their quality of life. Objective: Analyze the integration of the narrative on the quality of life associated with edentulism and related to the different social classes of the elderly at the Miguel León Home, in the province of Azuay, during the period 2024-2025. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted involving 22 older adults. Interviews were administered covering categories such as experiences, feelings, emotions, and education. Additionally, the Oral Health Impact Profile for Edentulous Patients (OHIP EDENT) and a Social Integration Questionnaire were used. Qualitative data were processed using Atlas.ti 7, while quantitative data were analyzed with SPSS version 25. Results: Participants reported various perceptions regarding the causes of their dental loss, attributing it to excessive candy consumption and a lack of dental care in childhood. The results showed predominant physical limitations, especially in terms of pain and functional incapacity, with greater difficulties reported by widowed participants. Educational level also influenced the perception of impacts. Conclusion: The narratives of older adults align with the results of the OHIP questionnaire, revealing that edentulism and the use of dental prostheses negatively affect quality of life. The impact of edentulism varied significantly according to social class.