Dependence in instrumental activities of daily living and its implications for older adults’ oral health

Abstract

We aimed to assess the association between dependence in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and oral health in older adults. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 280 people aged ≥60 years served at public primary health care centers in Northeastern Brazil. Sociodemographic, oral discomfort and general health data were collected. The Lawton and Brody scale were used to assess IADL. This research adheres to the STROBE checklist. Most participants were married (n = 139; 49.6%), women (n = 182; 65.0%) and retired (n = 212; 75.7%). A total of 37 (13.2%) older adults had some degree of dependence in IADL. Dependence in IADL was associated with: retirement (p<0.040), poor general health (p = 0.002), speech problems (p = 0.014), use of medications (p = 0.021), difficulty chewing and swallowing food (p = 0.011), voice changes (p = 0.044), edentulism (p = 0.011), use of toothbrush (p<0.001), use of toothpaste (p<0.001), and visit to the dentist in the previous year (p = 0.020). Functional disability was associated with older age, cardiovascular diseases, speech problems, chewing and swallowing difficulties, use of medication and brushing deficiency. The functional dependence in IADL can be considered an indicator of oral health status in older adults.

Edentulism and Individual Factors of Active Aging Framework in Colombia

“…The Lawton scale of IADL has not been deeply investigated in the oral health; however, previous studies reported a relationship. 35 ) Similarly, few studies have investigated the relationship of the Barthel scale with oral health; among these studies, some results are consistent with the findings of the present study, in which a lower Barthel index score was generally related to poorer oral health conditions, in this case, edentulism. 36 ) This analysis revealed an OR very close to statistical significance for both the Barthel and Lawton scales in the final model and a significant relationship when they acted as independent determinants that were preserved for the Lawton scale after adjusting for sociodemographic variables.…”

Prevalence and associated factors of cognitive frailty in community‐dwelling older adults: Results from the Korean longitudinal study of aging

“…due to decreased grip strength may have a direct effect on oral health maintenance (Saintrain et al, 2021), as we have found in the current study. Given the increase in IADL disability among older adults with CF, future studies assessing the relationship between IADL disability and oral health status are needed to confirm the current results.…”

Association of Number of Teeth with ADL/IADL in Korean Middle-Aged and Older Adults: An Analysis of the 7th Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging

“…Takata et al [36] conducted a study on older adults aged ≥ 80 years and found that functional dependency was 3.3-fold higher in individuals who could chew from five to nine types of food than in those who could chew 15 types of food, indicating the impact of mastication on ADL, although no significant association was shown between ADL and the number of healthy natural teeth. Nevertheless, based on the reported association between oral health status and functional dependency during daily activities in older adults, the association between the number of natural teeth, as a key oral health indicator, and the performance of daily activities may be inferred [37]. In addition, the generally reduced functional state may be attributed to the restriction of ADL, which follows the restriction of IADL.…”