The association between Antihypertensive drugs and oral health- related quality of life in the elderly: results of Amirkola cohort study

Background: Hypertension is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. The prevalence of hypertension in the elderly is increasing. Patients with high blood pressure have to take medication throughout their lives. In this study, the relationship between antihypertensive drugs and oral health-related quality of life in the elderly was evaluated. Methods: This modified cross-sectional study, which is the part of the second phase of the Amirkola Health and Ageing Project (AHAP), was performed on 900 elderly people. Participants included 300 people with hypertension under medical treatment, 300 people with hypertension without medication and 300 people with normal blood pressure. All patients’ blood pressure was recorded, and the standard xerostomia questionnaire and GOHAI questionnaire (Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index) was completed for all participants. Then, the obtained data were analyzed by SPSS 17, whereby student’s t-test, ANOVA and chi square, Pearson correlation coefficient and logistic regression model were used. A p