Survey of oral hypofunction in older outpatients at a dental hospital

Abstract

Background Oral hypofunction is defined as the reversible stage preceding oral dysfunction. However, its assessment and management need further examination and consideration. Objective The present study aimed to examine the current state of oral hypofunction among outpatients at the university hospital. Methods New outpatients underwent medical interviews and detailed assessment of oral hypofunction at their initial visit to our dental department. Oral hypofunction was diagnosed if the results of three of the following seven assessment items were below cut‐off values: poor oral hygiene, oral dryness, reduced occlusal force, decreased tongue‐lip motor function, decreased tongue pressure, decreased masticatory function and deterioration of swallowing function. The relationships between factors used to diagnose oral hypofunction as well as the distributions of assessment values were clarified. Results Seventy‐five of 209 patients (35.9%) were finally diagnosed with oral hypofunction. Diagnosis of oral hypofunction was significantly related to patient age, Eichner index, a chief complaint of dental or periodontal disease or ill‐fitting dentures and a history of neurodegenerative disease. The lowest quintile values for poor oral hygiene, oral dryness and decreased masticatory performance were all above current cut‐off values. Reduced occlusal force contributed strongly to the diagnosis of oral hypofunction. Conclusion Oral hypofunction in dental outpatients at a university hospital was associated with patient age, medical history and chief complaint at presentation. Diagnosis of oral hypofunction can be closely related to reduced occlusal force. The validity of cut‐off values for assessments of oral hypofunction needs further consideration.

Association between sarcopenia and oral functions in community‐dwelling older adults: A cross‐sectional study

“…Additionally, the incidence of oral hypofunction among older adults living in other regions has been reported to be 35.9%–63.0%. 11 , 13 , 38 , 39 , 40 The prevalence of oral hypofunction was within the range reported previously, as were the prevalence of sarcopenia and oral hypofunction. Those results were obtained by integrating data from rural (39.2%) and urban (60.8%) areas to reduce regional bias.…”

“…In the present study, the prevalence of oral hypofunction was 38.4%. Additionally, the incidence of oral hypofunction among older adults living in other regions has been reported to be 35.9%–63.0% 11,13,38–40 . The prevalence of oral hypofunction was within the range reported previously, as were the prevalence of sarcopenia and oral hypofunction.…”

Associations between Oral Hypofunction Tests, Age, and Sex

“…This was thought to be due to the fact that the participants in our study were all outpatients visiting a dental hospital. However, the rate was only 36% in a previous study that included dental hospital outpatients [19]. This could be attributed to the older participants in our study.…”

“…Although they were relatively old, they had few diseases, other than hypertension, that could affect their oral function and were considered robust older adults. It has been reported that the oral hypofunction test results could be easily influenced by dental complaints [19]. However, dental complaints vary greatly among patients and are difficult to analyze.…”

“…However, these oral hypofunction problems have only been partially clarified in surveys conducted on community-dwelling older individuals, revealing a high incidence of oral hypofunction [15][16][17][18][19]. The prevalence rates of oral hypofunction in previous studies were about 40-60%, and oral hypofunction was significantly associated with sarcopenia [15], malnutrition [16], frailty [17,18], and mild cognitive impairment [18].…”