COVID 19: a boca, o ambiente, o estilo de vida e o contexto espiritual

Abstract

Introduction: Environmental, economic and social factors interact in synergism with COVID-19 and orofacial pain may have been potentiated in this synergistic context. Spirituality can help subjects to experience the adversities of the pandemic period. Objectives: This study evaluated the association of COVID-19 with the frequency of dental complaints, socioeconomic profile, physical activity and spirituality. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted through telephone interviews with adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19 to investigate dental complaints, socioeconomic profile, physical activity profile and spirituality. Results: 846 patients were approached, of which 82 agreed to participate in the study and were interviewed. Dental pain/complaint was reported by 59 (71.9%) patients. The prevalent physical activity profile was sedentary in 37 (45.1%). The most common socioeconomic class was low income C2 in 29 (35.4%). The association tests did not show statistical significance between orofacial pain and the variables gender, social class and physical activity profile. However, the data showed a higher prevalence of orofacial pain in women diagnosed with Covid-19 (women 78% and men 22.%, Z= 18.4% p<;0.001), belonging to a lower socioeconomic class (classes C 49.2% and D-E 37.3% and class B 13.6%, Z=11.62, p=0.003) and who practiced little or no physical activity (sedentary 45.8%, insufficiently active 42.4% and active 11.9% Z = 12.339 p = 0.02). Regarding spirituality, 72 (87.8%) stated that their religious or spiritual beliefs helped in coping with COVID-19, 68 (82.9)% of participants reported that the disease influenced their beliefs, 64 (78%) patients reported that since the diagnosis of COVID-19 Spirituality changed and became stronger. In addition, 61 (74.3%) of the participants reported that they would like health teams to address spirituality during treatment. Multiple correspondence analysis showed that spirituality is more related to patients who had more orofacial and female complaints. Conclusion: It is suggested that orofacial pain may be another potential harm of COVID-19. Sars Cov-2 infection may be a biological etiological factor of orofacial pain, which can also be potentiated by psychosocial factors of COVID-19. Spirituality was a fundamental resource of patients in the process of coping with COVID-19 disease and orofacial pain. Spirituality seems to be a resource to face diseases and unexpected situations. In addition, assistance involving aspects of spirituality can be a differential for the comprehensive and humanized care of patients.