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Association between number of teeth, use of dentures and musculoskeletal frailty among older adults
Author(s) -
Lee Seoyoung,
Sabbah Wael
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
geriatrics and gerontology international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.823
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1447-0594
pISSN - 1444-1586
DOI - 10.1111/ggi.13220
Subject(s) - medicine , dentures , poisson regression , national health and nutrition examination survey , logistic regression , tooth loss , dentistry , association (psychology) , cross sectional study , odds ratio , gerontology , oral health , environmental health , population , psychology , pathology , psychotherapist
Aim To assess whether there is a relationship between musculoskeletal frailty and number of teeth/denture use, and whether nutritional intake explains this relationship, in a sample of older Americans. Methods Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011/2012 were used. Handgrip strength was used to show musculoskeletal frailty. Number of teeth and denture use were examined by calibrated dentists. Information on sociodemographic factors, nutrients intake and general health status were collected through interviews. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between number of teeth/denture use by participants having <20 teeth and musculoskeletal frailty. Poisson regression analyses were used to assess the association between number of teeth/denture use and nutritional intake. Results There was no statistically significant difference in musculoskeletal frailty between denture users with <20 teeth and those with ≥20 teeth. Non‐denture users with <20 teeth had higher odds for musculoskeletal frailty (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.04–1.68). Accounting for nutritional intake explained >30% of this relationship. Having fewer teeth was associated with deficiency of nutritional intake regardless of denture use. Conclusions Denture use is associated with lower chances of musculoskeletal frailty among older Americans. Nutritional intake explained approximately one‐third of the association, but most of the relationship was attributed to comorbidity. The findings imply that dental status might play a role in musculoskeletal frailty. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 592–598 .