Prevalence and factors associated with tooth pain - a population-based study with adults and elderly from southern Brazil

Abstract Introduction Dental pain, or toothache, is defined as pain of orofacial origin, which occurs as a consequence of problems that affect teeth and support structures. Objective The objective of the present study was to analyze the factors associated with dental pain in individuals aged 18 years or older in the city of Rio Grande, RS, in the south of Brazil. Material and method Cross-sectional population-based study. 1,099 individuals were interviewed at home using a questionnaire with closed questions. Demographic, socioeconomic, general and oral health habits and behaviors were obtained. The report of dental pain in the 6 months prior to the survey was the study's outcome. The analyzes were based on Poisson regression. Result The prevalence of dental pain was 18.0% (95% CI 15.6; 20.4). When analyzing by age group, the prevalence of dental pain was 23.9% (95% CI 20.3; 27.4), 14.0% (95% CI 10.6; 17.5) and 10.4% (95% CI 5.8; 15.0), considering the adult population aged 20 to 39 years old, 40 to 59 years old and elderly, respectively. The highest prevalence of dental pain was for single individuals (PR = 1.50; 95% CI 1.11; 2.03), with less education (less than 8 years of study) (PR = 1.62; 95% CI 1.16; 2.27) and with the habit of grinding the teeth (PR = 1.67; 95% CI 1.18; 2.38). The elderly, on the other hand, had lower prevalence of dental pain when compared to adult individuals (PR = 0.50; 95% CI 0.32; 0.80). Conclusion Greater attention should be given to single, less educated, who grind their teeth and young adults.

引言 牙科疼痛（Dental Pain，又称牙痛）被定义为起源于口面部的疼痛，由累及牙齿及其支持结构的各类问题所引发。
研究目的：本研究旨在分析巴西南部南里奥格兰德州里奥格兰德市18岁及以上人群中与牙科疼痛相关的影响因素。
材料与方法：本研究为基于人群的横断面研究。采用封闭式问卷对1099名研究对象开展入户访谈，收集其人口学特征、社会经济状况、一般健康状况及口腔健康习惯与行为等相关信息。以调查前6个月内报告出现牙科疼痛作为本研究的结局指标，数据分析采用泊松（Poisson）回归方法。
结果：牙科疼痛的总体患病率为18.0%（95%置信区间（CI）：15.6~20.4）。按年龄组分层分析显示，20~39岁、40~59岁成年组及老年组的牙科疼痛患病率分别为23.9%（95%CI：20.3~27.4）、14.0%（95%CI：10.6~17.5）与10.4%（95%CI：5.8~15.0）。牙科疼痛患病率最高的群体为未婚人群（患病率比（PR）=1.50；95%CI：1.11~2.03）、受教育年限不足8年的低学历人群（PR=1.62；95%CI：1.16~2.27）以及存在磨牙习惯的人群（PR=1.67；95%CI：1.18~2.38）。与之相对，老年人群的牙科疼痛患病率较成年人更低（PR=0.50；95%CI：0.32~0.80）。
结论：应给予未婚、低学历、有磨牙习惯的人群及年轻成年人更多的关注。