The impact of hospitalization on periodontal health status: an observational study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the impact of hospitalization on the periodontal status of patients admitted to a private hospital. Methods A sample of 41 patients answered a questionnaire on oral hygiene habits before and after hospitalization. An examiner measured the Periodontal Screening and Recording ratio (PSR) within 24 hours after hospitalization (T0), after five (T1) and after ten days of hospital admission (T2). Results 47 patients were examined at T0, 37 at T1 and 21 at T2. Between T0 and T1, the periodontal condition of 32.4% of patients worsened (p = 0.001). The score of ten patients changed from PSR = 0 to PSR = 1 and the score of two changed from PSR = 1 to PSR = 2, after 5 days of hospitalization. At T2, 38% of patients had deteriorated (p = 0.005) with 4 developing gingival bleeding and 4 presenting calculus. 19% of patients (p=0.046) declined between T1 and T2, and 4 patients presented calculus. None of the patients received any guidance on oral hygiene by hospital staff. Conclusion The periodontal condition of hospitalized patients deteriorated over the course of the stay in hospital and, consequently, there was an increased need for treatment. This draws attention to the importance of oral hygiene care in hospital.RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar o impacto da internação hospitalar sobre a condição periodontal de pacientes em um hospital privado. Métodos A amostra de 41 pacientes respondeu questionário sobre hábitos de higiene bucal antes e após a internação. Um examinador mensurou o índice Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR) no início, cinco e dez dias a partir da admissão hospitalar. Resultados Nenhum paciente recebeu orientação sobre higiene bucal por profissionais do hospital. Após 5 dias do exame inicial, 58,8% dos pacientes sadios apresentaram sangramento à sondagem e 16,7% dos pacientes com sangramento apresentaram cálculo dental; e 10 dias depois, 70,0% dos pacientes sadios apresentaram sangramento gengival e 57,1% daqueles que já tinham sangramento gengival apresentaram cálculo dental. Houve um aumento das necessidades de tratamento. Conclusão A condição periodontal de pacientes internados agravou-se com o decorrer do tempo de internação e, consequentemente, houve um aumento da necessidade de tratamento. Isso desperta a atenção para a importância dos cuidados de higiene bucal no hospital.