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.