Impact of Oral Health on Cognitive Function and Quality of Life in Elderly Patients With Schizophrenia
10.47825/jkgp.2026.30.1.42
- Author:
Ho-Min KIM
1
;
Ka-Young KIM
;
Joo-Hyun HAN
;
Eun-Jin KIM
;
Seon-Jin YIM
Author Information
1. Departments of Geriatric Psychiatry, National Center for Mental Health, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Geriatric Psychiatry
2026;30(1):42-49
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the relationship between oral health, cognitive function, and quality of life (QoL) in elderly patients with schizophrenia.
Methods:This cross-sectional study included 92 patients with schizophrenia, aged 60-90 years. Assessments included the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease-Korean version, Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale (SQLS), and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S). Correlation and multiple regression analyses were performed.
Results:GOHAI scores were significantly and negatively correlated with SQLS (r=-0.323) and CGI-S (r=-0.230). Multiple regression confirmed GOHAI as an independent predictor of SQLS (β=-0.325, p=0.001) after controlling for demographic and clinical variables. Furthermore, anticholinergic drug use did not significantly moderate the positive impact of oral health on QoL.
Conclusion:Improving oral health is directly associated with better subjective QoL in elderly patients with schizophrenia, independent of objective cognitive decline or anticholinergic burden. Integrated psychiatric-dental care is crucial for this population.
