Oral diadochokinesis performance correlates with mild cognitive impairment: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Oral dysfunctions that affect masticatory function, such as tooth loss, reportedly lead to malnutrition, which contributes to cognitive decline and the onset and progression of dementia. Previous studies on oral dysfunction have focused on older people already in need of nursing care. Therefore, we conducted a study of older people able to travel independently or with minor assistance to examine the relationship between oral and cognitive function in memory clinic study participants classified as cognitively normal, with mild cognitive impairment, or with dementia.

METHODS

Participants were 178 study participants (median age: 79.0 years, 49.4% female) attending the memory clinic at the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Japan. Following provision of informed consent, cognitive function was assessed using clinical dementia ratings and oral function assessed using number of present teeth, occlusal force, oral diadochokinesis, repetitive salivary swallowing test, and tongue pressure. The relationships between cognitive and oral function were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 25, 92, and 61 were classified as cognitively normal, with mild cognitive impairment, and with dementia, respectively. Oral diadochokinesis /ka/ was associated with a high risk of mild cognitive impairment: adjusted odds ratio, 6.930 (95% confidence interval: 1.284-37.402, P = 0.024). Repetitive salivary swallowing test score was associated with a high-risk tendency for dementia: adjusted odds ratio, 4.171 (95% confidence interval: 0.981-17.736, P for trend = 0.053). Number of present teeth, occlusal force, and tongue pressure were not associated with mild cognitive impairment or dementia.

CONCLUSION

Oral diadochokinesis /ka/ was independently associated with mild cognitive impairment. A well-designed cohort study is needed to clarify the causal relationships between cognitive decline and oral diadochokinesis. The ability to identify study participants with possible mild cognitive impairment through regular dental examinations would help to prevent dementia.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered to UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000048126) at 2022-06-21.