Evaluation of self-perceived oral function among older adults using linear regression and structural equation...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Oral Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Global population aging increases the prevalence of oral hypofunction in older adults.
• Self-perception of oral function is crucial for early detection and intervention.
• Effective predictive models are needed for better oral health management in aging populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify factors associated with self-perceived oral function in older adults.
• Validate the structural integrity of a predictive model for oral hypofunction.
• Enhance early identification and personalized preventive strategies for oral hypofunction.

Main Methods:

• A large-scale cross-sectional survey of 423 adults aged 65-74 in China (2021).
• Analysis included Spearman correlation, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and multiple linear regression.
• Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to validate the model.

Main Results:

• The regression model explained 21.6% of the variance in self-perceived oral function (p < 0.001).
• Significant predictors included gender, dental visit reasons, dietary habits, brushing frequency, decayed teeth, calculus, attachment loss, and systemic disease (p < 0.05).
• SEM demonstrated acceptable model fit (χ²/df=1.865, RMSEA=0.045, GFI=0.982, CFI=0.823).

Conclusions:

• Oral practices were the most significant predictor of self-perceived oral function.
• SEM confirmed the regression model's validity, offering a reliable method for identifying oral hypofunction risk.
• Incorporating self-perceived measures enhances early detection and personalized preventive strategies for oral hypofunction.