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 牙痛（toothache）定义为源于口面部的疼痛，由累及牙齿及其支持结构的病变所引发。
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名居民开展入户访谈，收集人口学特征、社会经济状况、一般健康状况及口腔卫生习惯与行为相关数据。以调查前6个月内的牙痛发作报告作为本研究的结局指标，数据分析采用泊松回归（Poisson regression）方法。
结果 研究人群的牙痛患病率为18.0%（95%置信区间：15.6~20.4）。按年龄组分层分析显示，20~39岁、40~59岁成年人群及老年人群的牙痛患病率分别为23.9%（95%置信区间：20.3~27.4）、14.0%（95%置信区间：10.6~17.5）及10.4%（95%置信区间：5.8~15.0）。单身人群（患病率比（Prevalence Ratio, PR）=1.50；95%置信区间：1.11~2.03）、受教育程度较低（受教育年限不足8年）人群（PR=1.62；95%置信区间：1.16~2.27）及存在磨牙习惯的人群（PR=1.67；95%置信区间：1.18~2.38）的牙痛患病率最高。相较成年人群，老年人群的牙痛患病率更低（PR=0.50；95%置信区间：0.32~0.80）。
结论 应给予单身、受教育程度偏低、存在磨牙习惯的人群及年轻成年人更多关注。