Oral health-related quality of life in elderly: an umbrella review of systematic reviews from a multidisciplinary rehabilitation point-of-view

Abstract

Background. Poor oral health is highly prevalent among elderlies and may impact quality of life of elderly people. In this scenario, oral health has been often linked to general health and chronic disorders, including distinct features of frailty. The aim of the present umbrella review of systematic reviews was to assess the scientific literature on the correlation between oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) and elderly to present a multidisciplinary approach to these complex patients. Methods. We performed a literature search of the databases PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database electronic databases. Two independent reviewers performed the literature research from the inception to 25th November 2023 and screened the studies for eligibility. Results. The search resulted in a total of 676 results eligible articles. After removal of duplicates and full-text screening, a total of 3 systematic reviews were considered to meet the inclusion criteria and were included for this review. Conclusions. Frailty is very common in elderly such as a poor oral health. In this scenario, malnutrition and bad lifestyle habits may affect not only the determinism of many systemic non-communicable diseases but also oral health quality. Taken together, the findings of this umbrella review of systematic reviews showed a strict correlation between the frailty, typical condition of ageing people, and a poor OHRQoL. Therefore, it is mandatory to implement the oral health prevention with specific protocols of oral rehabilitation to improve the OHRQoL in elderly.