Oral function, nutritional status and physical status in Japanese independent older adults

To clarify the associations among oral status, nutritional status and physical status in Japanese independent older adults.

It is important to focus on factors affecting physical status associated with life dysfunction, long-term care and mortality. However, there are very few reports of the associations among oral status, nutritional status and physical status.

Patients who visited the Preventive Dentistry Clinic at Okayama University Hospital from November 2017 to January 2019 participated in this cross-sectional study. Number of teeth, periodontal condition and oral function were recorded. Bacteria counts in tongue dorsum, oral wettability, tongue pressure, tongue and lip movement function [oral diadochokinesis (ODK)], masticatory ability, bite force and swallowing function were measured. Nutritional status was assessed by the Mini Nutritional Assessment. Physical frailty status and Elderly Status Assessment Set were also evaluated. These variables were analysed by structural equation modelling (SEM).

Data from 203 patients were analysed (63 males and 140 females). Patients ranged in age from 60 to 93 years. The final model of the path diagram was completed by SEM. ODK was positively associated with nutritional status, and nutritional status was negatively associated with frailty. Age was associated with ODK, nutritional status and frailty.

Based on the associations among age, ODK, nutritional status and frailty, maintaining tongue movement function may contribute to good nutritional status and physical status in Japanese independent older adults.