Self-assessed Impairment of Masticatory Ability and Lower Serum Albumin Levels Among Community-dwelling Elderly Persons

Journal of Oral Rehabilitation

Murata

et al. 2011

Among the elderly, the quality of higher brain function is a contributing factor in performing activities of daily living. The aim of the study is to elucidate, epidemiologically, associations between mastication and higher brain function. A total of 208 community-dwelling elderly persons, aged 70-74 years, were enrolled. Self-assessed masticatory ability (masticatory ability) was classified into one of three categories: ability to chew all kinds of food, ability to chew only slightly hard food, or ability to chew only soft or pureed food. Brain function was assessed by four neuropsychological tests: Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices (RCPM) test, the Verbal Paired Associates 1 (VerPA) task and the Visual Paired Associates 1 task (from the Wechsler Memory Scale Revised Edition), and the Block Design subtest (from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales-Third Edition). Correlations between masticatory ability and each test were examined using Spearman rank correlation coefficients. Multinominal logistic regression models were conducted with the neuropsychological tests as the dependent variables and masticatory ability as the principal independent variable to adjust for age, gender, educational background, social activity, drinking/smoking habits, chronic medical conditions and dental status. Significant correlations were found between the RCPM test, the VerPA task, the Block Design test and masticatory ability. In multinominal logistic regression models, poor masticatory ability was significantly and independently related to the categories under the mean-s.d. points compared with those of the mean ± s.d. ranges for RCPM test and the VerPA task. Significant associations may exist between mastication and higher brain function among the elderly.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations between self-assessed masticatory ability and higher brain function among the elderly

Journal of Oral Rehabilitation

Murata

et al. 2011

“…It has been shown that calorie‐adjusted nutrient intake decreases with progressively impaired dentition status, while intake of fibre and most vitamins and minerals is inversely correlated with masticatory function (2). In addition, lower levels of serum albumin are associated with self‐assessed impairment of masticatory ability among the elderly (3). Six months after prosthodontic treatment, body weight changes were significantly different between users and non‐users regardless of denture type, and in addition, serum albumin levels were significantly increased among individuals using partial dentures in either or both jaws (18).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cross‐sectional epidemiological studies have shown that dentition status and masticatory ability are significantly associated with nutritional status (2, 3) and physical performance parameters such as muscle strength and balance function in older adults (4–6). Longitudinal studies in this area have also shown that worse dentition status at baseline led to significantly worse physical ability, mental impairment and higher mortality (7).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceived chewing ability and need for long‐term care in the elderly: a 5‐year follow‐up study

J of Oral Rehabilitation

Murata

et al. 2012

Increasing need for long-term care in older adults is expected with the ageing of Japan's population. The aim of the present study was to show the relationship between perceived chewing ability and long-term care needs for over 5 years in elderly persons. The chewing ability of 812 elderly persons living independently was evaluated at baseline using self-assessed masticatory ability, and it was classified into one of three categories: ability to chew all foods (good masticatory ability), ability to chew only slightly hard food (fair masticatory ability), and ability to only chew soft or pureed food (poor masticatory ability). Participants' care needs were then followed through Japan's long-term care insurance system for over 5 years. The log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard model were used to examine statistical differences in the frequency of care-needs certification between participants with good and fair or poor masticatory ability. Among participants aged 65-79 years, the frequency of care-needs certification was significantly higher in those with fair or poor masticatory ability than in those with good masticatory ability, and the relative hazard ratio was significantly higher in those with fair or poor masticatory ability than in those with good masticatory ability, after adjusting for age, gender, current employment status, educational background, social interaction, chronic medical conditions and dentition status. These relationships were not found among those aged 80-93 years. Impairment in perceived chewing ability may be associated with higher incidence of certification in Japan's long-term care insurance system among elderly persons aged 65-79.

“…Furthermore, self-assessed masticatory ability is thought to be an indicator reflecting the general health condition, including nutritional status and physical performance, as well as mortality 7,8,11 . The aim of the present study was to show how self-assessed masticatory ability is related to the TMIGindex and its subscales among young-old persons living independently in the community.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationships between Self-assessed Masticatory Ability and Higher Level Functional Capacity among Community-dwelling Young-old Persons

International Journal of Gerontology

Yamazaki

et al. 2012

Self Cite

s u m m a r y Introduction: Higher level functional capacity is considered a crucial component for independent living among the elderly. The aim of the present study was to show the relationships between self-assessed masticatory ability and higher level functional capacity among young-old persons living independently in the community. Materials and methods: A total of 366 persons aged 67e74 years was enrolled in the study. Data on background factors and self-assessed masticatory ability were collected by questionnaires. Self-assessed masticatory ability was classified into one of three categories (ability to chew all kinds of food, only somewhat hard food, or only soft or puréed food). Higher level functional capacity was measured using the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index, which consists of three sublevels: instrumental self-maintenance, intellectual activity, and social role. Results: Significant differences were found in the total score (13-point scale), intellectual activity (4-point scale), and social role (4-point scale) among the three groups of self-assessed masticatory ability. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that severely impaired masticatory ability (the ability to chew only soft and puréed food) was significantly related to a loss of three points or more for the total score, and a loss of one point or more for intellectual activity and social role after adjustment for a number of confounding variables. Conclusion: Self-assessed masticatory ability is significantly and independently related to higher level functional capacity, especially intellectual activity and social role, among young-old persons living independently in the community. It is worthwhile noting masticatory ability when clinicians investigate factors associated with disability in independent living.