Mika Okura, Kyoto University, Department of Human Health Science, 53 kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan,
J Nutr Health Aging. 2020;24(3):262-268. doi: 10.1007/s12603-020-1314-7.
The aim of the study was to examine whether a combination of self-reported masticatory ability and regular dental care is linked to mortality and issuance of new long-term care insurance (LTCI) service certifications.
Older residents in institutions or in need of LTCI certification requirements were excluded, and self-administered questionnaires were sent to 5,400 older adults in 2013; these participants were followed for 5 years. The total response rate was 94.3%, and our final sample comprised 4,824 older adults (89.3%). We used 3 items to assess self-reported masticatory ability and regular dental care. These included (1) decline in chewing abilities of the posterior teeth on either side, (2) not brushing one's own teeth or dentures at least once a day, and (3) not visiting the dentist at least once a year.
The mean age of the participants at baseline was 75.9 years, and 58.4% of them were women. Main outcomes included mortality (n = 562) or new LTCI certification requirements (n = 1187) during the 5-year period. Multivariate analyses revealed that a poor score on masticatory ability and on regular dental care produced significant adverse health outcomes leading to earlier negative outcomes. The score is considered poor as it increases relative to the 0-point reference.
Regular dental care (both self-and professional care) and maintaining masticatory ability are both important. Hence, public activities focusing on preventive oral health from middle age onward is important.
本研究旨在探讨自我报告的咀嚼能力和定期口腔护理的结合是否与死亡率和新长期护理保险（LTCI）服务认证的发放有关。
排除了机构中的老年人或需要 LTCI 认证要求的老年人，2013 年向 5400 名老年人发送了自我管理问卷；这些参与者被随访了 5 年。总回复率为 94.3%，最终样本包括 4824 名老年人（89.3%）。我们使用 3 项指标来评估自我报告的咀嚼能力和定期口腔护理。这些指标包括：（1）两侧后牙咀嚼能力下降，（2）每天至少不刷牙或不刷假牙一次，（3）每年至少不看牙医一次。
参与者在基线时的平均年龄为 75.9 岁，其中 58.4%为女性。主要结果包括 5 年内的死亡率（n=562）或新 LTCI 认证要求（n=1187）。多变量分析显示，咀嚼能力和定期口腔护理评分差与不良健康结果相关，导致更早的负面结果。评分较差是指相对于 0 分参考值增加。
定期口腔护理（包括自我和专业护理）和保持咀嚼能力都很重要。因此，从中年开始关注预防性口腔健康的公共活动很重要。
