Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing 2012;14(1):69-78.
요양병원 및 재가노인의 구강건조와 구취 및 타액 pH 수치의 상관성 연구
조은아·김계하
Correlation among Xerostomia, Halitosis, and Salivary pH in Older Adults
Cho, Eun A · Kim, Kye Ha
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify the levels of xerostomia, halitosis and salivary pH in older adults.
Methods A convenience sample of 193 elders was recruited from two senior care hospitals and two senior welfare
offices, one in Gwangju City and, one in Chonnam Province. We measured xerostomia, halitosis and salivary pH
using a questionnaire, halimeter, and BCP test paper (pH 5.6~7.2). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics,
t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation with SPSS 17.0 program. Results There were significant
differences in xerostomia according to gender (t=3.98, p<.001), education (t=3.41, p=.001), residence (t=5.47,
p<.001), alcohol consumption (t=3.50, p=.003), and tooth brushing (F=4.86, p=.009), number of illnesses (F=
6.43, p<.001), and number of medications (F=7.32, p<.001). There were significant differences in salivary pH,
according to marital status (t=2.06, p=.041) and residence (t=3.41, p=.001). Xerostomia was significantly
correlated with salivary pH (r=-.47, p<.001). Conclusion The results indicate that older adults need continuous
observation and nursing intervention programs for xerostomia, halitosis, and salivary pH.
PDF Links
Full text via DOI 
Download Citation 
