Oral Factors as Predictors of Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older People: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to identify predictors for frailty among possible oral factors in community-dwelling older people. Ninety-seven participants (≥60 years old) without frailty at baseline were included and assigned to either the robust or the frailty group after 2-year follow-up. The frailty was defined using the Japan Cardiovascular Health Study index. The numbers of present and functional teeth and periodontal disease severity were recorded. Bacterial counts on the dorsum of the tongue, oral moisture, tongue pressure, occlusal force, masticatory ability, and the oral diadochokinesis (ODK) rate were measured. Swallowing function, along with psychosocial status, relationships with communities and people, nutritional status, medical history, and comorbidities were evaluated using a questionnaire. The newly identified frailty group at follow-up showed significantly lower values in the number of teeth present, ODK/ta/sound and ODK/ka/sound rates, and clinical attachment level at baseline compared to the robust group. A logistic regression model showed a significantly negative association between the ODK/ta/sound rate at baseline and the incidence of frailty. Articulatory oral motor skill was found to be a predictor of frailty after two years.

Association between oral health markers and decline in muscle strength and physical performance in later life: longitudinal analyses of two prospective cohorts from the UK and the USA

“…In support of these findings, periodontal disease has been associated with decline in grip strength 21 and physical frailty in later life. 43,44 Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease that could lead to tooth loss. 45 The underlying systemic inflammation accompanying more acute periodontal disease (ie, before tooth loss) has been associated with poor physical fitness and capacity 46,47 and with a decline in lower extremity mobility, 48 which might result in reduced physical performance over time.…”

Can oral diadochokinesis be used as an assessment tool of oral function in older adults requiring care in nursing home?

“…5,6 Additionally, OD reduction has been reported to be associated with general frailty. [7][8][9] This test is thus essential for assessing oral function in older adults. Some studies have reported a correlation between OD and cognitive function, with mild dementia being associated with OD.…”

Association of Oral Function and Dysphagia with Frailty and Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Table 3 shows the prospective associations between oral function and dysphagia at baseline and frailty, sarcopenia, and disability at follow-up in four prospective cohort studies [ 7 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

“…These two studies did not assess tongue pressure, tongue-lip motor function, and dysphagia. Takeuchi et al showed that the number of repetitions in ODK for /ta/ was a significant factor for developing frailty during a 2-year follow-up after adjusting for occlusal force, tongue pressure, EAT-10 score, ODK for /pa/ and /ka/, and other potential factors [ 40 ]. Tanaka et al showed that low occlusal force, ODK for /ta/, and tongue pressure at baseline were significant factors for the development of frailty during a 2-year follow-up after adjusting for potential factors [ 7 ].…”