Association between oral health and body cell mass in hospitalised elderly

To examine whether oral health in hospitalised elderly was associated with body cell mass (BCM) measured with Bioimpedance spectroscopy.

Body cell mass is the tissue producing the metabolic work necessary for all body functions. BCM is mainly muscle tissue. Low BCM is associated with diseases, ageing and poor nutritional status. Reduced oral health is also associated with these parameters; thus, BCM and oral health may be related.

Body cell mass was measured using Bioimpedance spectroscopy in 138 acutely hospitalised elderly ≥70 years. The number of own teeth, posterior occluding tooth pairs and decayed teeth were registered. Oral hygiene was registered with Mucosal-Plaque Score, an index based on assessment of plaque accumulation and mucosal/gingival inflammation. Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form, body mass index and handgrip strength were used as nutritional indicators. Comorbidity was assessed with Cumulative Index Rating Scale.

Mean age was 83.2 ± 5.9 years, ranging from 70 to 101 years. Dentition status was significantly and positively associated with BCM. Reduced oral hygiene was significantly associated with low BCM. These findings remained significant after adjusting for confounders.

These results show that compromised oral health was significantly associated with reduced BCM in hospitalised elderly.