Tian Xin, Xia Xin, Li Huixian, Hu Yuexia, Xie Yuqing, Hu Xiuying, Yue Jirong, Dong Birong, Wu Bei, Wang Yanyan
Healthcare Innovation Research Laboratory, West China School of Nursing & National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Science and Technology Department, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Department of Geriatrics and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Front Public Health. 2025 Apr 29;13:1506640. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1506640. eCollection 2025.
Depression is a prevalent issue among older adults, affecting the quality of life and overall health of individuals. This study aimed to investigate the role of nutritional status in mediating the number of teeth and depressive symptoms.
A prospective multi-ethnic baseline data of 6,632 adults aged 50 years and older was derived from the 2018 West China Health and Aging Trend study. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale, and nutritional status was evaluated with the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form. A multiple linear regression was performed to assess the associations among the number of teeth, nutritional status, and depressive symptoms. Mediation models and pathway analysis were employed to investigate the mediating role of nutritional status.
The sample comprised 18 ethnic groups from western China. The percentage of depressive symptoms among participants was 17.3%. Multiple linear regression indicated a significant correlation between the number of teeth and depressive symptoms. The association remained statistically significant (β = -0.089; 95% CI -0.158, -0.020) after adjusting for MNA-SF scores. Mediation analysis confirmed nutritional status partially mediated the relationship between the number of teeth and depressive symptoms (indirect effect estimate = -0.059; 95% CI -0.076, -0.044, direct effect estimate = -0.089; 95% CI -0.158, -0.020). Furthermore, structural equation model for pathway analysis verified the correlation between the number of teeth, nutritional status, and depressive symptoms ( < 0.05).
Nutritional status partially mediated the association between the number of teeth and depressive symptoms, revealing significant direct and indirect effects. Early identification of nutritional deficits and the maintenance of oral health are essential for preventing depression in older adults.
抑郁症在老年人中是一个普遍存在的问题，影响着个体的生活质量和整体健康。本研究旨在探讨营养状况在调节牙齿数量与抑郁症状之间的作用。
从2018年中国西部健康与老龄化趋势研究中获取了6632名50岁及以上成年人的前瞻性多民族基线数据。使用15项老年抑郁量表评估抑郁症状，并用微型营养评定法简表评估营养状况。进行多元线性回归以评估牙齿数量、营养状况和抑郁症状之间的关联。采用中介模型和路径分析来研究营养状况的中介作用。
样本包括来自中国西部的18个民族。参与者中抑郁症状的发生率为17.3%。多元线性回归表明牙齿数量与抑郁症状之间存在显著相关性。在调整MNA-SF评分后，该关联仍具有统计学意义（β=-0.089；95%CI -0.158，-0.020）。中介分析证实营养状况部分介导了牙齿数量与抑郁症状之间的关系（间接效应估计值=-0.059；95%CI -0.076，-0.044，直接效应估计值=-0.089；95%CI -0.158，-0.020）。此外，路径分析的结构方程模型验证了牙齿数量、营养状况和抑郁症状之间的相关性（<0.05）。
营养状况部分介导了牙齿数量与抑郁症状之间的关联，揭示了显著的直接和间接效应。早期识别营养缺乏和保持口腔健康对于预防老年人抑郁症至关重要。
