Edentulism and frailty in domiciled older adults: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective To investigate the association between frailty and edentulism in community-dwelling older adults and determine the individual, sociodemographic, and clinical factors associated. Method A total of 333 older adults aged 65 years or more participated in this study; they responded to the Edmonton Frail Scale instrument (EFS). Data on socioeconomic factors, oral health, and use of and need for dentures were also collected. Those with cognitive difficulties were excluded. Hierarchical multivariable logistic regression models were performed using the stepwise and backward procedure, which tested the relationship of edentulism and covariates with EFS results. Variables with p<0,20 in the unadjusted analyzes were included in the adjusted logistic regression. Results The prevalence of moderate to severe frailty was 12.3%. Edentulism was related to frailty (OR 3,45; IC 95%: 1,45 – 8,25; p=0,01), age (OR 2,19; IC 95%: 1,07 – 4.46; p=0,03), female sex (OR 2,75; IC 95%: 1,23 – 6,15; p=0,01), the need of lower dental prosthesis (OR 3,19; IC 95%: 1,27 – 8,05; p=0,01) and toothache perception (OR 2,74; IC 95%: 1,15 – 6,15; p=0,02). Conclusions Frailty was associated with edentulism, age, female sex, the need for lower dental prosthesis and toothache perception. These oral conditions are highly prevalent among older adults and can be prevented by multiprofessional actions supported by public policies. Oral examinations should be considered in pre-frail and frail patients’ assessments as oral health indicators were associated of older adults’ frailty.