Relationship between Oral Hypofunction and Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: The Otassha Study

Yoshihiro Kugimiya, Masanori Iwasaki, Yuki Ohara, Keiko Motokawa, Ayako Edahiro, Maki Shirobe, Yutaka Watanabe, Shuichi Obuchi, Hisashi Kawai, Yoshinori Fujiwara, Kazushige Ihara, Hunkyung Kim, Takayuki Ueda and Hirohiko Hirano
Additional contact information
Yoshihiro Kugimiya: Department of Removable Prosthodontics and Gerodontology, Tokyo Dental College, Tokyo 101-0061, Japan
Masanori Iwasaki: Research Team for Promoting Independence and Mental Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan
Yuki Ohara: Research Team for Promoting Independence and Mental Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan
Keiko Motokawa: Research Team for Promoting Independence and Mental Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan
Ayako Edahiro: Research Team for Promoting Independence and Mental Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan
Maki Shirobe: The Tokyo Metropolitan Support Center for Preventative Long-Term and Frail Elderly Care, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan
Yutaka Watanabe: Research Team for Promoting Independence and Mental Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan
Shuichi Obuchi: Research Team for Human Care, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan
Hisashi Kawai: Research Team for Human Care, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan
Yoshinori Fujiwara: Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan
Kazushige Ihara: Department of Social Medicine, Hirosaki University School of Medicine, Aomori 036-8562, Japan
Hunkyung Kim: Research Team for Promoting Independence and Mental Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan
Takayuki Ueda: Department of Removable Prosthodontics and Gerodontology, Tokyo Dental College, Tokyo 101-0061, Japan
Hirohiko Hirano: Research Team for Promoting Independence and Mental Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-12

Abstract: Oral hypofunction, resulting from a combined decrease in multiple oral functions, may affect systemic-condition deterioration; however, few studies have examined the association between oral hypofunction and general health among older adults. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the relationship between oral hypofunction and sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults. We included 878 adults (268 men and 610 women, mean age 76.5 ± 8.3 years). Tongue coating index, oral moisture, occlusal force, oral diadochokinesis (/pa/,/ta/,/ka/), tongue pressure, mas-ticatory function, and swallowing function were evaluated as indicators of oral hypofunction. Grip strength, gait speed, and skeletal muscle mass index were measured as diagnostic sarcopenia parameters. The association between oral hypofunction and sarcopenia was examined via logistic regression using sarcopenia as the dependent variable. Oral hypofunction prevalence was 50.5% overall, 40.3% in men, and 54.9% in women. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 18.6% overall, 9.7% in men, and 22.5% in women. A logistic regression showed oral hypofunction, age, body mass index, higher-level functional capacity, and serum albumin level were significantly associated with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia occurred at an increased frequency in patients diagnosed with oral hypofunction (odds ratio: 1.59, 95% confidence interval: 1.02–2.47); accordingly, oral hypofunction appears to be significantly associated with sarcopenia.

Keywords: oral hypofunction; sarcopenia; oral function; physical health; older adults; Japan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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