Aftagelige protesers virkning på tyggefunktionen hos aeldre med reumatoid artritis
Sammanfattning
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a prevalent disease in the elderly
population, and it may affect the temporomandibular joint
(TMJ) and the stomatognathic system. This study evaluated
masticatory function in elderly patients with RA before and
after oral rehabilitation with removable prostheses. Forty-five
elders with partial or total edentulism who were using unsatisfactory
removable prostheses were selected and assigned
to 3 groups: RA with TMJ involvement, RA without TMJ involvement
and healthy controls. Masticatory function was assessed
in terms of masticatory performance (MP) and maximum bite
force (MBF). The former was determined by the sieving method,
and the latter was measured by pressure sensors placed in
the bilateral molar regions. The variables were first evaluated
in elderly subjects wearing unsatisfactory prostheses and reassessed
after participants had received new removable prostheses.
Comparisons between groups and among time points
were performed with analysis of variance for repeated measures
and the Tukey-Kramer test (P < 0.05). Comparison among
groups showed decreased MP in elders with RA before new
prosthesis insertion (P < 0.05). Irrespective of TMJ involvement,
MP improved after treatment in subjects with RA. Rheumatoid
arthritis groups also showed decreased MBF (P < 0.05), which
improved after new prosthesis insertion. Rheumatoid arthritis
might impair masticatory function, and well-fitted removable
prosthesis insertion might be very beneficial in elders with RA.