Oral Factors as Predictors of Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older People: A Prospective Cohort Study

Takeuchi Noriko, Sawada Nanami, Ekuni Daisuke, Morita Manabu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to identify predictors for frailty among possible oral factors in community-dwelling older people. Ninety-seven participants (≥60 years old) without frailty at baseline were included and assigned to either the robust or the frailty group after 2-year follow-up. The frailty was defined using the Japan Cardiovascular Health Study index. The numbers of present and functional teeth and periodontal disease severity were recorded. Bacterial counts on the dorsum of the tongue, oral moisture, tongue pressure, occlusal force, masticatory ability, and the oral diadochokinesis (ODK) rate were measured. Swallowing function, along with psychosocial status, relationships with communities and people, nutritional status, medical history, and comorbidities were evaluated using a questionnaire. The newly identified frailty group at follow-up showed significantly lower values in the number of teeth present, ODK/ta/sound and ODK/ka/sound rates, and clinical attachment level at baseline compared to the robust group. A logistic regression model showed a significantly negative association between the ODK/ta/sound rate at baseline and the incidence of frailty. Articulatory oral motor skill was found to be a predictor of frailty after two years.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1145
JournalInternational journal of environmental research and public health
Volume19
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 1 2022

Keywords

  • Frailty
  • Oral diadochokinesis
  • Prospective cohort study

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Pollution
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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