Usefulness of newly devised food intake score in removable denture wearers

Although the food intake score (FIS) from conventional food intake questionnaires is widely used, the evaluation method, number of foods and food selection used in the questionnaire can be improved.

This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of a newly devised FIS in removable denture wearers.

A total of 219 removable denture wearers were asked about their food intake, and three types of FIS (FIS1, FIS2 and FIS3) were calculated as subjective parameters. FIS1 and FIS2 are conventional FISs, while FIS3 is the FIS devised in this study. The amount of glucose extracted (AGE) when participants chewed gummy jelly was used as an objective parameter. The relationship between the three FISs and that between each FIS and AGE were investigated. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed with AGE as the dependent variable and age, sex and FIS as independent variables.

The three types of FISs were positively correlated. A positive correlation was also found between FIS and AGE. The correlation coefficient was the largest in FIS2 and decreased in the order of FIS3 > FIS1; however, the values of FIS2 > FIS3 were similar. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that sex and FIS were significantly associated with AGE.

For denture wearers, the newly devised FIS3 was useful and evaluated masticatory performance, as well as or better than FIS1 and FIS2.