Dependence on others for oral hygiene and its association with hand deformities and functional impairment in elders with a history of leprosy.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the frequency of dependence on others for oral hygiene and its association with hand deformities, frailty and dependence on others for basic activities of daily living (BADL) among elders with a history of leprosy.

BACKGROUND: Dependence on others for oral hygiene has not been considered in multifunctional geriatric assessments.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Edentulous elders with a history of leprosy who used complete dentures and resided in a former leprosy colony were classified as independent or partially/completely dependent on others for brushing their dentures or rinsing and for BADL, and as frail or robust. The presence of hand deformities was assessed by an occupational therapist.

RESULTS: 28.4% and 14.9% were completely/partially dependent on others for brushing and rinsing, respectively. The dependence for BADL was observed in 21.6% and hand deformities in 17.6%. A higher odds of dependence for brushing/rinsing was found among elders who were dependent on others for BADL. Brushing dependence (61.5%) was more frequent among participants with hand deformities than those without this condition (21.3%) (OR: 6.8; 95% IC: 1.2-37.9; P = .028). There was no association between frailty and brushing (P = .068) or rinsing (P = .202) dependence.

CONCLUSION: Approximately one-third of elders have a dependence on others for brushing; a smaller proportion is dependent on others for rinsing. Older people who are dependent on others for BADL and who present hand deformities are more likely to be dependent on others for denture brushing and rinsing. Elders may perform oral self-care even when they present frailty.