Relationship between occlusal force and endothelial function in community-dwelling elderly women: A pilot study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cardiovascular Health
• Biomarkers of Aging

Background:

• Endothelial dysfunction is a key factor in aging and cardiovascular disease.
• Assessing endothelial function in community-dwelling elderly is crucial for preventative care.
• Limited research exists on simple, non-invasive indicators of endothelial health in aging populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between occlusal force and endothelial function.
• To determine if occlusal force can serve as a novel indicator for community preventative care projects.
• To explore associations between occlusal force, grip strength, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in elderly women.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 38 community-dwelling women (mean age 76.7 years).
• Measurements included occlusal force, grip strength, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) for endothelial function, and serum advanced glycation end products (AGEs).
• Statistical analyses, including correlation and multiple regression, were used to examine relationships between variables.

Main Results:

• Occlusal force showed significant positive correlations with grip strength (r=0.54, p<0.01) and FMD (r=0.60, p<0.01).
• FMD was also associated with grip strength (r=0.35, p<0.05) and inversely with AGEs (r=-0.37, p<0.05).
• Multiple regression analysis confirmed occlusal force as a significant predictor of FMD (p<0.01).

Conclusions:

• Occlusal force is a significant indicator of endothelial function in community-dwelling elderly individuals.
• This finding supports the potential use of occlusal force as a simple, accessible biomarker in geriatric preventative care.
• Understanding these relationships can contribute to better general health assessments for the elderly in community settings.