Kumar Sanjana Santhosh, Cantillo Raquel, Xu Xiuhui, Chacko Rachel, Alarfaj Alhanoof Khaled, Filho Waldir Martineli, Barmak Abdul Basir, Arany Szilvia
Department of General Dentistry, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester, NY, USA.
Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA.
J Dent. 2025 Sep 5;162:106071. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2025.106071.
Older adults are at increased risk of nutritional deficiencies due to age-related physiological changes, chronic diseases, medication side effects, socioeconomic factors, and declining oral health. This systematic review examines the association between hyposalivation and nutritional status in non-cancer older adults.
The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025645149). Data were extracted from eligible studies, and quality assessment and bias evaluation were conducted. Using a random effects model, a meta-analysis estimated the pooled prevalence of hyposalivation, xerostomia, and malnutrition.
A comprehensive search of PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Embase was performed from inception to December 2024.
Longitudinal, cross-sectional, and case-control studies were included. After screening 774 potential studies, 14 (11 cross-sectional, two case-control, and one longitudinal cohort) met the inclusion criteria. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q and I² statistics, while publication bias was evaluated with Egger's test and funnel plots.
Thirteen studies reported a significant association between hyposalivation and malnutrition in older adults. All studies highlighted impaired chewing, swallowing difficulties, and reduced taste sensitivity. The pooled prevalence of xerostomia was 38 % (95 % CI: 22-57 %) with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 97 %), while the estimated prevalence of malnutrition was 55 % (95 % CI: 34-74 %). The findings suggested a strong link between hyposalivation and malnutrition in non-cancer older adults. However, variability in study designs underscores the need for standardized diagnostic criteria and longitudinal studies to explore the interplay between salivary function and nutritional health in aging populations.
This review highlights the association between hyposalivation and malnutrition in non-cancer older adults. Dry mouth impairs oral function, leading to poor nutrient intake and an increased risk of malnutrition. Early detection and management of hyposalivation are crucial to prevent nutritional problems. The variability in prevalence suggests a need for standardized diagnostic tools and further research to understand better nutritional health concerns associated with hyposalivation, as well as to improve patients' overall health and quality of life..
由于与年龄相关的生理变化、慢性疾病、药物副作用、社会经济因素以及口腔健康状况下降，老年人发生营养缺乏的风险增加。本系统评价旨在探讨非癌症老年人口腔唾液分泌减少与营养状况之间的关联。
研究方案已在国际前瞻性系统评价注册库（PROSPERO，注册号：CRD42025645149）登记。从符合条件的研究中提取数据，并进行质量评估和偏倚评价。采用随机效应模型进行荟萃分析，估计唾液分泌减少、口干症和营养不良的合并患病率。
对PubMed、CINAHL、科学引文索引（Web of Science）和Embase进行全面检索，检索时间从建库至2024年12月。
纳入纵向研究、横断面研究和病例对照研究。在筛选774项潜在研究后，14项研究（11项横断面研究、2项病例对照研究和1项纵向队列研究）符合纳入标准。使用Cochran's Q统计量和I²统计量评估异质性，采用Egger检验和漏斗图评估发表偏倚。
13项研究报告了老年人口腔唾液分泌减少与营养不良之间存在显著关联。所有研究均强调咀嚼功能受损、吞咽困难和味觉敏感性降低。口干症的合并患病率为38%（95%置信区间：22%-57%），异质性较大（I² = 97%），而营养不良的估计患病率为55%（95%置信区间：34%-74%）。研究结果表明，非癌症老年人口腔唾液分泌减少与营养不良之间存在密切联系。然而，研究设计的差异凸显了需要标准化的诊断标准和纵向研究，以探讨唾液功能与老年人群营养健康之间的相互作用。
本综述强调了非癌症老年人口腔唾液分泌减少与营养不良之间的关联。口干会损害口腔功能，导致营养摄入不足，增加营养不良的风险。早期发现和处理口腔唾液分泌减少对于预防营养问题至关重要。患病率的差异表明需要标准化的诊断工具和进一步研究，以更好地了解与口腔唾液分泌减少相关的营养健康问题，以及改善患者的整体健康和生活质量。
