PURPOSE:
to identify self-reported speech-language disorders and associated factors in an elderly population.
METHODS:
we conducted a cross-sectional study based on home visits made to each participant from a multistage random sample of 44 elderly aged 60 years or older. We used a structured self-report questionnaire containing questions related to sociodemographic characteristics, general health and use of health services, oral communication, orofacial movements and functions, hearing, and balance. The participants were also asked about the presence or absence of dizziness and tinnitus, use of dental prosthesis, poor dentition, diagnosis of systemic diseases, whether they were smokers, and whether they were included in a systematic medical follow-up. Data were recorded in a database and the statistical analysis was performed using Epi Info version 7.0. The frequency and distribution of variables in the sample selected were examined.
RESULTS:
of 44 elderly aged 60-80 years (mean, 66.04 years; SD=4.8), 52.3% were male and 47,7% female; A 11.4% of the subjects reported abnormal speech, 9.1% reported voice changes, and 11.4% orofacial movements changes . In addition, 27.3% reported wearing a dental prosthesis, 18.2% poor dentition, 6.8% poor hearing and balance, 40.9% reported dizziness; 54.5% had a systemic disease, 18.2% reported being smokers, and 70.4% were receiving regular medical care.
CONCLUSION:
the most common speech-language complaints in the investigated population were related to orofacial movements, hearing, and balance. It was identified that systemic disease as the most prevalent factor associated to speech-language complaints.
Aged; Hearing Loss; Quality of Life
