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Masticatory dysfunction is associated with worse functional ability: a population‐based study
Author(s) -
Laudisio Alice,
Marzetti Emanuele,
Pagano Francesco,
Bernabei Roberto,
Zuccalà Giuseppe
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of clinical periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.456
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1600-051X
pISSN - 0303-6979
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-051x.2009.01518.x
Subject(s) - activities of daily living , medicine , odds ratio , confidence interval , masticatory force , gerontology , logistic regression , population , physical therapy , dentistry , environmental health
Laudisio A, Marzetti E, Pagano F, Bernabei R, Zuccalà G. Masticatory dysfunction is associated with worse functional ability: a population‐based study. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 113–119. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐051X.2009.01518.x . Abstract Aim: Because of the ageing of populations, disability has become an emergent problem from the clinical, social, and economic perspectives. Nevertheless, the determinants of disability in older subjects are still unclear. We assessed the association between self‐assessed masticatory dysfunction (MD) and functional ability in older subjects. Materials and Methods: We analysed data of all 350 subjects aged 75+ living in Tuscania (Italy). Functional ability was estimated using the Katz' activities of daily living (ADLs), and the Lawton and Brody instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) scales. Results: MD was reported by 145 (41%) participants. Disability in the ADLs and IADLs was found in 37 (25%) and 53 (37%) of participants with MD, respectively, but only in 11 (5%) and 30 (15%) of the other participants ( p <0.001). MD was associated with disability in the ADLs [odds ratio (OR)=2.40, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.05–5.51], and IADLs (OR=2.77, 95% CI=1.07–7.16) in logistic regression, after adjusting. The association of MD with disability was stronger among subjects aged 80+. Conclusions: MD is independently associated with disability in community‐dwelling elderly. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of early detection and correction of MD on the preservation of functional status in older populations.