Division of Oral Health, Growth and Development, Section of Preventive and Public Health Dentistry, Kyushu University Faculty of Dental Science, Fukuoka, Japan.
Itoshima Dental Association, Itoshima, Japan.
Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2018 Jun;18(6):873-880. doi: 10.1111/ggi.13271. Epub 2018 Feb 6.
Severe tooth loss and swallowing dysfunction occur more frequently in dependent older adult populations. Poor oral health and functional status are expected to have a negative impact on general health. We examined whether mortality is related to the number of teeth and swallowing function in dependent older Japanese individuals receiving home care services.
Older adults aged ≥65 years who were receiving home care were included. The planned follow-up period was 3 years. Baseline data on the number of teeth, swallowing function, nutritional status, cognitive ability and activities of daily living were collected.
A total of 259 participants (mean age 85.0 ± 7.7 years) were enrolled. The mean length of follow up was 26.2 months. Severe tooth loss (≤9 present teeth) and swallowing dysfunction were observed in 68.0% and 32.0% of the participants, respectively. Cox's proportional hazards regression model showed that participants with both ≤9 teeth and swallowing dysfunction were at a higher risk of mortality compared with those with both ≥10 teeth and normal swallowing function (hazard ratio 2.89, 95% confidence interval 1.22-6.83). A significant interaction among severe tooth loss, swallowing dysfunction and mortality risk was observed.
Severe tooth loss and swallowing dysfunction were associated with increased mortality. The present study suggests that the maintenance of oral health and swallowing function has a positive effect on general health. Therefore, attention should be given to both tooth loss and swallowing function in dependent older adult populations. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 873-880.
在依赖型老年人群中，严重的牙齿缺失和吞咽功能障碍更为常见。较差的口腔健康和功能状况预计会对整体健康产生负面影响。我们研究了依赖型日本老年个体在接受家庭护理服务时，其牙齿数量和吞咽功能与死亡率之间的关系。
纳入年龄≥65 岁且正在接受家庭护理的老年人。计划随访时间为 3 年。收集了基线时的牙齿数量、吞咽功能、营养状况、认知能力和日常生活活动数据。
共纳入 259 名参与者（平均年龄 85.0±7.7 岁）。平均随访时间为 26.2 个月。68.0%和 32.0%的参与者分别存在严重牙齿缺失（≤9 颗天然牙）和吞咽功能障碍。Cox 比例风险回归模型显示，同时存在≤9 颗牙齿和吞咽功能障碍的参与者与同时存在≥10 颗牙齿和正常吞咽功能的参与者相比，其死亡率更高（风险比 2.89，95%置信区间 1.22-6.83）。严重牙齿缺失、吞咽功能障碍与死亡率风险之间存在显著交互作用。
严重的牙齿缺失和吞咽功能障碍与死亡率增加相关。本研究表明，维持口腔健康和吞咽功能对整体健康具有积极影响。因此，在依赖型老年人群中，应关注牙齿缺失和吞咽功能。
