Effect of Depression on Prosthetic Status–Population-based Results (SHIP)

OBJECTIVES: Depression is associated with deteriorated health outcomes. This study investigated whether there is an association between prosthetic status and psychopathological findings based on data from the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP 0).

METHODS: In a population-based study (4310 adults aged 20-79 years); depression was measured by a modified version of a self-report scale with 38-items from Zerssen. Screening for the lifetime diagnosis of mental disorders was performed with the Composite International Diagnostic Screener. A new classification is used to identify the degree of prosthetic reconstruction to specify a scale for the prosthetic status. The epidemiological regression model includes sociodemographic, health behavioural and social net variables.

RESULTS: Significant protective effect of depression on prosthetic reconstruction can be shown in the lower jaw but not for the upper jaw (lower jaw: OR=0.93 per point p<0.001, adjusted by classification, age, gender, marital status, education, income, social net, alcohol use, smoking, BMI and two variables for dental attendance). Regarding both jaws, there can also a significant protective effect of depressions on prosthetic status be observed for the lower jaw (OR=0.93 per point p=0.001, fully adjusted). No significant effect can be shown for the upper jaw (OR=0.98 per point p>0.05, fully adjusted). That is also observable by regarding both jaws (OR=0.96 per point p>0.05, fully adjusted).

CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with signs of depression have a higher level of prosthodontic reconstructions suggesting a higher level of worry concerning their personal health. A compensation of this effect because of aesthetic significance has to be discussed for the upper jaw.