Life expectancy with negative physical oral health impact on quality of life in older adults

Association Between Oral Hypofunction and Maximum Gait Speed in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have reported an association between oral hypofunction and normal gait speed as a marker for physical function; however, the association between maximum gait speed as a more sensitive marker for physical function and poor oral function has not been investigated.

OBJECTIVES

To elucidate associations of oral hypofunction, comprising seven elements, with both normal and maximum gait speeds in an older population.

METHODS

Participants were recruited in 2018 from a hospital-based health checkup in Kyoto Prefecture. Seven oral function tests (oral hygiene, oral dryness, occlusal force or number of teeth, tongue-lip motor function, tongue pressure, masticatory function and swallowing function) were performed. Oral hypofunction was defined as an abnormality in at least three of these items. Gait speed was measured as normal and maximum gait speeds. The relationship between oral hypofunction and maximum gait speed was analysed using logistic regression.

RESULTS

This study included 198 participants (130 men and 68 women; mean age: 75.0 years). Among them, 152 (76.7%) had oral hypofunction. After adjustment for age, sex and body mass index, oral hypofunction was significantly associated with a low maximum gait speed (odds ratio: 2.75, 95% confidence interval: 1.41-5.37).

CONCLUSION

Oral hypofunction is associated with maximum gait speed in older people. The prevention of oral hypofunction may help maintain walking speed and promote an increase in healthy life expectancy.

Relationship between weight loss and regular dental management of older adults residing in long-term care facilities: a 1-year multicenter longitudinal study

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine the association between home visits by a dentist and regular oral hygiene management by a dental hygienist (regular dental management: RDM) and weight loss among older adults in long-term care facilities.

METHODS

A total of 468 older residents from 26 Japanese long-term care facilities participated in two surveys in 2018 and 2019. Participants were divided into two groups based on their diet during the baseline survey (regular diet, n = 256; dysphagia diet, n = 212). Participants with a regular diet were further divided into those who exhibited a weight loss ≥ 5% over 1 year (weight loss group: n = 77) and those with a weight loss < 5% (consistent weight group: n = 179). The explanatory variables were age, sex, baseline weight, Barthel index, and clinical dementia rating, as well as the patients' medical history of pneumonia, stroke, diabetes, and depression (which is reportedly associated with weight). Additionally, a Poisson regression with robust standard error, was carried out to analyze the explanatory variables, namely the prevalence of RDM noted during the study and functional teeth (which seemed to affect weight loss).

RESULTS

A multivariate analysis revealed that older residents' lack of RDM, clinical dementia assessment, and their history of pneumonia (prevalence rate ratio: 0.35, 95% confidence interval 0.24-0.95) were all significantly associated with weight loss when on a regular diet.

CONCLUSION

Thus, weight loss and RDM were related to each other. Weight loss may be suppressed by incorporating RDMs during the early nursing care for older residents on regular diets.

Edentulism-free life expectancy among older Brazilian adults: SABE study, 2006-2016

AIM

To assess edentulism-free life expectancy (EFLE) and the related inequalities by sex and schooling among older Brazilian adults from 2006 to 2016.

BACKGROUND

Tooth loss is related to shortened longevity and unhealthy life expectancy in old age.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The outcome of the study was EFLE, assessed by age, sex and schooling. EFLE was estimated using the Sullivan method, considering the years and proportion of remaining life and the prevalence of edentulism-assessed in the Health, Well-being, and Aging cohort study, as well as the official mortality data for adults aged 60 years or older living in São Paulo, Brazil.

RESULTS

EFLE increased from 10.9 (95% CI: 10.4-11.5) to 13.8 (95% CI: 13.2-14.5) years, considering data from 2006 to 2016, among 60-year-old individuals. In relative terms, these individuals expected to live 50.7% (95% CI: 48.1-53.2) of their remaining life free of edentulism in 2006, while this expectation was 62.8% (95% CI: 60.0-65.6) in 2016. Within both years, women and the less educated had lower EFLE than men and the higher educated.

CONCLUSION

EFLE increased from 2006 to 2016. However, inequalities concerning sex and education remained significant, thereby highlighting the need to continuously address inequalities in tooth loss throughout life to contribute to a healthy ageing.