Analysis of the current status and influencing factors of oral frailty in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Taiyuan, China.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the current status of oral frailty in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and analyze its influencing factors.

METHODS

We recruited 464 elderly T2DM patients from a tertiary hospital in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province (June-October 2024) using convenience sampling. General information questionnaire, Oral Frailty Index-8 (OFI-8), Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illness and Loss of weight Scale (FRAIL Scale), Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT), and Mini-Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) were used to collect data. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors influencing oral frailty.

RESULTS

The prevalence of oral frailty was 45.9% among the 464 elderly T2DM patients. Regression analysis identified the following influencing factors (p < 0.05): age, smoking history, weekly frequency of physical activity, duration of diabetes mellitus, polypharmacy, frailty, and oral health score.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral frailty is highly prevalent in elderly T2DM patients. Clinical staff should screen this population for oral frailty early and develop a comprehensive, integrated oral health care program to prevent or delay its onset and progression.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

not applicable.