Relationship Between Frailty and Oral Function in Community‐Dwelling Elderly Adults

Abstract

Age-related differences in oral function were found in older adults. Moreover, frail older individuals had significantly poorer oral function than prefrail and robust individuals. The risk of frailty was associated with lower occlusal force, masseter muscle thickness, and ODK rate.

Association between number of teeth, use of dentures and musculoskeletal frailty among older adults

“…8,23 Others have also argued that older adults who need dentures were more likely to be frail. 8,23 Others have also argued that older adults who need dentures were more likely to be frail.…”

“…3 Handgrip strength is a major parameter of physical performance that has been repeatedly used to diagnose musculoskeletal frailty. 7,8 Earlier studies have shown that malnourishment could be relatively improved when masticatory functions are recovered by denture restorations. 6 Limited masticatory function is another potential and modifiable risk factor for musculoskeletal frailty that possibly operates through an impact on micronutrients.…”

“…4,5 Several factors are implicated in musculoskeletal frailty including older age, long-standing illness, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of physical activities 1 and inadequate intake of essential nutrients. 9 Unsurprisingly, recent studies have examined the relationship between oral health status, namely, periodontal disease, and number of teeth, and found an association with general frailty, 8,10 and between the need for dentures and general frailty. 7,8 Earlier studies have shown that malnourishment could be relatively improved when masticatory functions are recovered by denture restorations.…”

Chapter 2 Frailty concepts

“…15 Andrade et al carried out a cross-sectional study among 1,374 community-dwelling older people in São Paulo, Brazil, and they reported that number of teeth was inversely correlated with likelihood of frailty. 19 In a Swiss study, Kamdem et al carried out a crosssectional analysis of 992 community-dwelling older persons, and after controlling for confounding factors, they found that frailty was associated with oral pain (adjusted OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.17-2.53) and chewing problems (adjusted OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.07-2.72). 16 The study also reported that the need for dental prostheses was associated with a higher likelihood of frailty (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.13-3.00).…”

Elderly patients with lower‐jaw mobility require careful food texture modification: A cohort study

“…Many factors including age and muscle mass affect frailty. Frailty is reportedly related to oral function in elderly adults, and sarcopenia has been reported to be associated with chewing ability and swallowing problems . In addition, oropharyngeal dysphagia is a risk factor for malnutrition and lower respiratory tract infection in older persons .…”