Reduced Mastication Is Associated With Dynapenia Markers in Patients With Cirrhosis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Aim: Dental diseases are common in patients with cirrhosis. In these patients, reduced mastication might interfere with protein intake and contribute to malnutrition. We addressed the relationship between reduced mastication and dynapenia in patients with cirrhosis. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved patients with cirrhosis treated in a Brazilian center. Trained dentists performed oral examinations and tested the patients for nutritional parameters such as handgrip strength (HGS) and gait speed test (GST). Reduced mastication was presumed when a patient had molar edentulism (≥ 3 teeth), bad dental occlusion, or ill-fitting denture. Associations between mastication status and malnutrition were evaluated using multivariate linear regression analysis for continuous measures and adjusted prevalence ratio (PR (95% confidence interval)) for binary measures. Results: We included 149 patients with cirrhosis (60 ± 13 years old, 76% men, 64% Child A, 60% due to alcoholism only). Reduced mastication affected 107 patients (72%), low muscle strength (decreased HGS) occurred in 45 (30%), and decreased GST was observed in 58 (41%, among 143 patients able to walk). Thirty-one out of 143 (22%) presented decreased HGS and GST, characterizing dynapenia. Reduced mastication was associated either with decreased HGS [PR = 2.28 (1.08-4.81), p = 0.030; reduced mastication decreases the HGS mean by 12.5 kg for men (p < 0.001) and 8.1 kg for women (p = 0.065)] or with decreased GST [PR 1.97 (1.09-3.55), p = 0.024; reduced mastication increased the time of GST by 1.1 s on average (p = 0.005)], adjusting for age, alcoholic etiology, and Child-Pugh classification. Conclusions: Reduced mastication is associated with dynapenia markers in patients with cirrhosis. Further studies are needed to assess whether oral rehabilitation can change the curse of malnutrition in this population.