Ji Hyun Han1, Hyo-Jung Lee2, Ji Won Han1, Seung Wan Suh1, Ju Ri Lee3, Seonjeong Byun1, Keun Suh Kim2, Sung Yeol Kim2, Jung-Tae Lee4, Eunha Yoo5, Na-Hee Chang6, Tae Hui Kim7, Ki Woong Kim1,8,9,10. 1. Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea. 2. Department of Periodontology, Section of Dentistry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea. 3. Samjung Hospital, Incheon, Korea. 4. Department of Periodontics, Dankook University College of Dentistry Jukjeon Dental Hospital, Yongin, Korea. 5. Section of Dentistry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea. 6. Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea. 7. Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Wonju, Korea. 8. Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. 9. Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Seoul National University College of Natural Sciences, Seoul, Korea. 10. National Institute of Dementia, Seongnam, Korea.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although tooth loss is known to increase the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, few studies have investigated the association between functional teeth including rehabilitated lost teeth and cognitive functionObjective:We investigated the associations of the numbers of functional teeth and functional occlusal units with cognitive impairment and cognitive function in late life. METHODS: The current study was conducted as a part of the Korean Longitudinal Study on Cognitive Aging and Dementia (KLOSCAD), a community-based elderly cohort study. We analyzed 411 participants who have agreed with the additional dental exam. Geriatric psychiatrists and neuropsychologists administered the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's disease Assessment Packet Clinical and Neuropsychological Assessment Battery to all participants, and dentists examined their dental status. RESULTS: Higher number of functional teeth (OR = 0.955, 95% CI = 0.914-0.997, p = 0.037) and higher number of functional occlusal units (OR = 0.900, 95% CI = 0.813-0.996, p = 0.042) were associated with lower odds of cognitive impairment. When we analyzed these relationships separated by the location of teeth, only the numbers of functional teeth (OR = 0.566, 95% CI = 0.373-0.857, p = 0.007) and functional occlusal units (OR = 0.399, 95% CI = 0.213-0.748, p = 0.004) in the premolar area were associated with lower odds of cognitive impairment. CONCLUSION: Loss of functional teeth and functional occlusal units (especially in the premolar region) were associated with increased cognitive impairment.
BACKGROUND: Although tooth loss is known to increase the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, few studies have investigated the association between functional teeth including rehabilitated lost teeth and cognitive functionObjective:We investigated the associations of the numbers of functional teeth and functional occlusal units with cognitive impairment and cognitive function in late life. METHODS: The current study was conducted as a part of the Korean Longitudinal Study on Cognitive Aging and Dementia (KLOSCAD), a community-based elderly cohort study. We analyzed 411 participants who have agreed with the additional dental exam. Geriatric psychiatrists and neuropsychologists administered the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's disease Assessment Packet Clinical and Neuropsychological Assessment Battery to all participants, and dentists examined their dental status. RESULTS: Higher number of functional teeth (OR = 0.955, 95% CI = 0.914-0.997, p = 0.037) and higher number of functional occlusal units (OR = 0.900, 95% CI = 0.813-0.996, p = 0.042) were associated with lower odds of cognitive impairment. When we analyzed these relationships separated by the location of teeth, only the numbers of functional teeth (OR = 0.566, 95% CI = 0.373-0.857, p = 0.007) and functional occlusal units (OR = 0.399, 95% CI = 0.213-0.748, p = 0.004) in the premolar area were associated with lower odds of cognitive impairment. CONCLUSION: Loss of functional teeth and functional occlusal units (especially in the premolar region) were associated with increased cognitive impairment.