A study of the correlation between oral insufficiency and mild cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults
10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-9026.2024.03.019
- VernacularTitle:社区老年人口腔功能不全与轻度认知障碍的相关性
- Author:
Lili JIAO
1
;
Yingxin TANG
;
Si HONG
;
Haiyan YIN
;
Rumi WANG
Author Information
1. 中南大学湘雅二医院康复医学科，长沙 410011
- Keywords:
Cognition disorders;
Mouth;
Mastication;
Deglutition disorders
- From:
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics
2024;43(3):378-383
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the relationship between oral health and mild cognitive impairment(MCI)by using indicators that evaluate oral hypofunction.Methods:The study was conducted using a cross-sectional design.Participants were recruited from three communities(Shizi Ling, Wenyi Xincun, and Yaoling in Furong District)in Changsha in July 2021, using convenience sampling.Cognitive and oral functions were evaluated using the simple mental state examination, version 2(MMSE-2)and seven indicators of oral hypofunction, which included oral hygiene, oral dryness, occlusal force, tongue and lip movement, tongue pressure, mastication, and swallowing function.Results:A total of 144 subjects were included in this study, with 72 males.Except for education level, there were no statistically significant differences between the MCI group and the normal cognitive group in terms of demographic information and self-reported and measured oral functions(all P>0.05).There was a correlation between the subjects' self-reported oral function and the actual measured oral function.Multiple linear regression analysis revealed no significant correlation between the MMSE score and the seven indicators used to measure oral hypofunction(all P>0.05).The MMSE score of the female group showed a negative correlation with mastication( β=-0.003, P=0.043), while the MMSE score of subjects with elementary school education also showed a negative correlation with mastication( β=-0.022, P=0.016).Additionally, the MMSE score of subjects with middle school education showed a positive correlation with the number of residual teeth( β=0.090, P=0.030). Conclusions:The self-reported oral function can serve as an initial assessment of overall oral function.However, among elderly individuals who do not show significant decline in oral function, there was no significant correlation between oral function and MCI.To accurately identify individuals with MCI, a more detailed sub-analysis with a larger sample size is required.
