Nozomi Okamoto1, Masayuki Morikawa2, Motokazu Yanagi3, Nobuko Amano3, Kimiko Tomioka4, Kan Hazaki5, Akihiro Harano6, Norio Kurumatani4. 1. Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan. onozomi@naramed-u.ac.jp. 2. Department of Psychiatry, Mie Prefectural Mental Care Center, Mie, Japan. Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan. 3. Department of Food and Nutrition, Tezukayama University, Nara, Japan. 4. Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan. 5. Department of Physical Therapy, Osaka Electro-Communication University, Osaka, Japan. 6. Department of Orthopedics, Yamato Takada Municipal Hospital, Nara, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tooth loss induces changes to the anatomy of the oral cavity. We hypothesized that tooth loss may disturb smooth swallowing in healthy elderly people. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of tooth loss on the development of swallowing problems in an independent elderly population. METHODS: This was a 5-year prospective cohort study conducted in Nara, Japan. Included in this analysis were 1,988 community residents aged 65 years or older without swallowing problems at baseline. The participants were classified into quartile groups according to the number of remaining teeth at the baseline survey: 0-12, 13-22, 23-26, and 27-32 teeth. A decrease in the number of teeth during the survey was calculated by subtracting follow-up number from baseline number. Main outcome was the development of swallowing problems at follow-up. RESULTS: During follow-up, 312 individuals developed swallowing problems. After adjustment for confounding factors by multiple logistic regression analysis, the odds ratios for developing swallowing problems in participants with 13-22 or 0-12 teeth were 2.42 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.61-3.63) and 2.49 (95% CI, 1.68-3.69), respectively, compared to participants with 27-32 teeth, demonstrating a significant relationship. The odds ratio of per 1 tooth decrease over 5 years was 1.08 (95% CI, 1.02-1.13), showing a significant association. CONCLUSIONS: Swallowing problems due to aging are more likely to develop in individuals with fewer teeth.
BACKGROUND:Tooth loss induces changes to the anatomy of the oral cavity. We hypothesized that tooth loss may disturb smooth swallowing in healthy elderly people. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of tooth loss on the development of swallowing problems in an independent elderly population. METHODS: This was a 5-year prospective cohort study conducted in Nara, Japan. Included in this analysis were 1,988 community residents aged 65 years or older without swallowing problems at baseline. The participants were classified into quartile groups according to the number of remaining teeth at the baseline survey: 0-12, 13-22, 23-26, and 27-32 teeth. A decrease in the number of teeth during the survey was calculated by subtracting follow-up number from baseline number. Main outcome was the development of swallowing problems at follow-up. RESULTS: During follow-up, 312 individuals developed swallowing problems. After adjustment for confounding factors by multiple logistic regression analysis, the odds ratios for developing swallowing problems in participants with 13-22 or 0-12 teeth were 2.42 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.61-3.63) and 2.49 (95% CI, 1.68-3.69), respectively, compared to participants with 27-32 teeth, demonstrating a significant relationship. The odds ratio of per 1 tooth decrease over 5 years was 1.08 (95% CI, 1.02-1.13), showing a significant association. CONCLUSIONS: Swallowing problems due to aging are more likely to develop in individuals with fewer teeth.
Authors: Eftychia Kotronia; S Goya Wannamethee; A Olia Papacosta; Peter H Whincup; Lucy T Lennon; Marjolein Visser; Yvonne L Kapila; Robert J Weyant; Sheena E Ramsay Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2021-01-18 Impact factor: 6.053