Interrelationships among whole-body skeletal muscle mass, masseter muscle mass, oral function, and dentition status in older Japanese adults

Abstract

Background Generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass (SMM) may modulate or otherwise affect the loss of masseter muscle mass and be responsible for low masseter muscle performance and strength (i.e., low oral function). Moreover, dentition status can affect oral function independent of the muscle state. This cross-sectional study aimed to simultaneously investigate the relationships among whole-body SMM, masseter muscle mass, oral function (masseter muscle performance and strength), and dentition status in 1349 Japanese adults (mean age = 73.6 years). Methods We determined the estimated masseter muscle mass (e-MMM) based on morphological measurements of the masseter muscle. Masseter muscle performance was assessed via masticatory performance evaluation scores using gum, and strength was assessed as the maximal occlusal force. Dentition status was assessed as the number of functional teeth. SMM was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Structural equation modeling stratified by sex was employed to investigate associations among SMM, e-MMM, gum score, occlusal force, and number of functional teeth. Results The direct path from SMM to e-MMM was statistically significant, as was the direct path from e-MMM to oral function (gum score and maximum occlusal force) for both sexes. We additionally confirmed that SMM indirectly affected gum score and maximum occlusal force via e-MMM (men; standardized coefficient [95% CI] = 3.64 [1.31 to 5.96] for maximum occlusal force and 0.01 [0.01 to 0.02] for gum score, women; 2.01 [0.38 to 3.81] for maximum occlusal force and 0.01 [0.002 to 0.01] for gum score). The number of functional teeth had direct effects on e-MMM, gum score, and maximum occlusal force. Conclusions Low SMM was significantly indirectly associated with poor oral function through a low masseter muscle mass, and dentition status was independently associated with oral function.

Evaluation of Chronological Change of Body and Oral Function after Dental Im plant Treatment

“…Therefore, for the purpose of static measurement of body composition, including skeletal muscle mass, body composition analyzer was used un this study. InBody, which is a multifrequency impedance measurement method, has been widely applied in clinical research because it shortens the time required while measuring a large amount of information by simultaneous direct multifrequency measurement of body area (17,36,37) , and it has been reported to be highly accurate (38,39) . Although body fat mass increases with age (11) , it has been reported that the percentage of it and lean body mass decrease in the older adults (35) .…”

Correlation Between the Occlusion Contact, Masticatory Force, and Chewing Time for Different Textures in the Senior Adult Community

“…Moreover, another study published in 2021, reported that low skeletal muscle mass was associated with poor oral function due to low masseter muscle mass [15]. Additionally, the direct effects of the number of functional teeth on maximum occlusal was reported using a structural equation modelling strati ed by sex [15]. Muscle mass percentage in men and women were different in the physical examinations.…”

“…According to an earlier community-survey for those aged ≥ 65 years elucidating the relationship between the frailty and oral function, the lower muscle mass index and masseter muscle thickness was reported in the frail rather than in robust elders [12]. Moreover, another study published in 2021, reported that low skeletal muscle mass was associated with poor oral function due to low masseter muscle mass [15]. Additionally, the direct effects of the number of functional teeth on maximum occlusal was reported using a structural equation modelling strati ed by sex [15].…”

The associations of psoas and masseter muscles with sarcopenia and related adverse outcomes in older trauma patients: a retrospective study

“…This study, nevertheless, suggests that M-CSA is not as robust a prognostic indicator as PLVI in these patients. Furthermore, localized masseter muscle atrophy can occur in patients with tooth loss, dental prosthesis or other causes for reduced masticatory function [9,18,19]. Caution needs to be exercised in using it as a surrogate for global muscle deconditioning.…”