Edentulism and its relationship with self-rated health: secondary analysis of SABE Ecuador 2009 Study

The progressive loss of dental pieces has been considered a phenomenon part of normal aging because of the high frequency of teeth loss in older adults(3, 8). However, this affirmation is inaccurate, since several studies have related etiological factors such as chronic disease, rural residence, functional dependence, neurocognitive disorder, low educational level, poverty, poor access to health services, limited access to cultural property and inadequate hygiene habits for presenting this condition ¿i.e. is not a part of aging but a consequence of negative conditions along life course (9-11). The impact of edentulism on the patient's health has been documented, with a significant effect in the patient's individual performance, functionality and well-being.(4, 12, 13). On the other hand, self-rated health (SRH) is the summary of all the available information about the current health including clinical, mental and social characteristics, according to her/his circumstances. This is why SRH has become an important target of research in the past few years; it has taken place as an important indicator for an integral approach to the geriatric patient+++(14, 15) Positive correlations have been found between objective and subjective health assessments among older adults, mostly in those with disability (16) chronic diseases (17) or depression (18, 19).