The Relationships of Dentition, Use of Dental Prothesis and Oral Health Problems with Frailty, Disability and Diet Quality: Results from Population-Based Studies of Older Adults from the UK and USA

Abstract

Objectives This study examined the relationships of dental status, use and types of dental prothesis and oral health problems, individually and combined, with diet quality, frailty and disability in two population-based studies of older adults. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting and Participants Men form the British Regional Heart Study (BRHS) (aged 85±4 years in 2018; n=1013) and Men and Women from the Health, Aging, and Body Composition (HABC) Study (aged 75±3 years in 1998–99; n=1975). Measurements Physical and dental examinations and questionnaires were collected with data available for dental status, oral problems related to eating, diet quality, Fried frailty phenotype, disability based on mobility limitations, and activities of daily living (ADL). The associations of dental status and oral health problems, individually and combined, with risk of frailty and disability were quantified. The relationship with diet quality was also assessed. Results In the BRHS, but not HABC Study, impaired natural dentition without the use of dentures was associated with frailty independently. This relationship was only established in the same group in those with oral problems (OR=3.24; 95% CI: 1.30–8.03). In the HABC Study, functional dentition with oral health problems was associated with greater risk of frailty (OR=2.21; 95% CI: 1.18–4.15). In both studies those who wore a full or partial denture in one or more jaw who reported oral problems were more likely to have disability. There was no association with diet quality in these groups. Conclusion Older adults with impaired dentition even who use dentures who experience self-report oral problems related to eating may be at increased risk of frailty and disability. Further research is needed to establish whether improving oral problems could potentially reduce the occurrence of frailty and disability.

Oral frailty: a concept analysis

“…We used Walker & Avant's concept analysis method to identify antecedents, attributes, consequences and empirical referents of the concept of oral frailty as well as constructing cases. The 8-step analysis includes: (1) selecting the concept; (2) determining the purpose of analysis; (3) identifying all uses of the concept; (4) defining attributes; (5) identifying a model case; (6) identifying borderline, related and contrary cases; (7) identifying antecedents and consequences; and (8) identifying the empirical referents of the defining empirical attributes.…”

“…The global population is rapidly aging, and the poor oral health conditions and problems of older adults have become a serious problem that could not be ignored. Studies found that older adults suffered from oral health problems, such as missing teeth, worse oral hygiene, subjective difficulties in eating and swallowing, etc [1]. These oral health problems lead to impaired physical health, cognitive function, decreased social function, reduced series of phenomena and processes that lead to changes in various oral conditions (such as number of teeth, oral hygiene, and oral function) associated with aging and accompanied by decreased interest in oral health, reduced physical and mental reserve capacity, and an increase in oral frailty resulting in eating dysfunction [10].…”

“…The global population is rapidly aging, and the poor oral health conditions and problems of older adults have become a serious problem that could not be ignored. Studies found that older adults suffered from oral health problems, such as missing teeth, worse oral hygiene, subjective difficulties in eating and swallowing, etc [ 1 ]. These oral health problems lead to impaired physical health, cognitive function, decreased social function, reduced quality of life and even increased risk of death in older adults [ 2 – 4 ].…”