Masticatory dysfunction is associated with osteoporosis in older men.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Osteoporosis Research
• Oral Health

Background:

• Osteoporosis significantly impacts men, with 30% of hip fractures occurring in this demographic.
• The specific causes of osteoporosis in men remain incompletely understood.
• Masticatory dysfunction has been linked to malnutrition, potentially contributing to bone density loss.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between self-assessed masticatory dysfunction and bone mineral density in an elderly population.
• To determine if chewing ability is associated with osteoporosis indicators in older adults.

Main Methods:

• The study included 310 participants aged 75 and older from Tuscany, Italy.
• Bone mineral density was assessed using standard parameters: T-score, Z-score, and stiffness index.
• Self-assessed masticatory dysfunction was evaluated and correlated with bone density measurements.

Main Results:

• In elderly men, masticatory dysfunction showed a significant association with lower T-scores, Z-scores, and stiffness index.
• These associations remained significant after statistical adjustments in linear regression models.
• No significant links between masticatory dysfunction and bone mineral density were found in women.

Conclusions:

• Masticatory dysfunction is an independent risk factor for osteoporosis in elderly men.
• Routine evaluation of chewing function should be considered for older men diagnosed with osteoporosis.