口衛碩二盧亭妤研究成果”Swallowing and masticatory function, physical function, and quality of life in community-dwelling older adults” 投稿被2019美國口腔健康研討會(National Oral Health Conference)接受，預計4月13號前往美國分享研究成果

 

Swallowing and masticatory function, physical function, and quality 

of life in community-dwelling older adults 

Ting-Yu Lu¹; Jen-Hao Chen ²; Ying-Chun Lin¹; Hsiao-Ling Huang¹ 

¹Department of Oral Hygiene, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University 

²School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University 

Objectives: The oral functions associated with aging results in xerostomia and tooth 

loss, influencing the strength of chewing, swallowing and quality of life. We aimed to 

assess swallowing and masticatory function associated with frailty, sarcopenia and oral 

health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in Taiwanese elderly.

Methods: The cross-sectional survey recruited 449 adults aged ≥65 years old. People 

with mental disorder, moderate to severe cognitive impairment and difficult language 

expression were excluded. Dental examination was implemented by a dentist. 

Information concerning physical function, xerostomia index, food patterns, swallowing 

function, and Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) were collected via a 

face-to-face interview questionnaire. Moreover, 10 seconds oral diadochokinesis and 

masticatory function using color-changeable chewing gum were recorded. Multivariate 

regression models analyzed the relationship between physical function and oral status 

in the elderly.

Results: About 38.3% of participants had fewer than 20 teeth, 16.5% had swallowing 

problem, 8.9% had dry mouth problem and 19.8% had poor masticatory performance. 

The elderly with swallowing problem was significantly associated with frailty (adjusted 

odds ratio [aOR= 2.73]) and sarcopenia (aOR= 4.65). Dry mouth was significantly 

associated with frailty (aOR= 3.28) and sarcopenia (aOR= 3.42). The significant 

determinants of OHRQoL were ≥20 teeth (β= 0.14), frailty (β= −3.34), sarcopenia (β= 

−5.81), dry mouth (β= −6.40), poor masticatory performance (β= −4.41) and 

swallowing problem (β= −3.19).

Conclusions: Special consideration should be given to community elderly with regard 

to < 20 teeth, poor swallowing and masticatory function, and dry mouth concerns in 

order to improve their OHRQoL.