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Published on: August 22, 2022
Severe tooth loss and mortality risk: a population-based, longitudinal prospective study in a rural setting
Oscar H Del Brutto1, Bettsy Y Recalde1, Denisse A Rumbea1
1School of Medicine and Research Center, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Km 2.5 vía Samborondon, Guayas, 092301, Ecuador.
Background:
Information on the relationship between tooth loss and mortality among individuals living in rural settings is limited.
Methods:
In this prospective cohort study, Atahualpa residents ≥40 y of age (n=933) were followed for a mean of 7.3±3.2 y to estimate mortality risk according to whether they had severe tooth loss (<10 remaining teeth).
Results:
Overall, 151 individuals (16%) died, resulting in a crude mortality rate of 2.35 per 100 person-years of follow-up. Individuals with severe tooth loss were more likely to die (73/276) compared with those with mild-moderate tooth loss (78/657), after adjusting for relevant covariates (hazard ratio 1.45 [95% confidence interval 1.02 to 2.04]).
Conclusions:
Severe tooth loss is associated with increased mortality in remote communities.
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