[Shiau-ROC TAIWAN-O-1] Relationship between oral health and cognitive function in older adults: a longitudinal study
[Abstract]
[Objective]
Maintaining cognitive function in older adults is crucial for independence, social engagement and overall well-being. However, factors related to cognitive changes remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the relationship between cognitive function and oral health in older adults.
[Method]
This study enrolled 581 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years or older in Tamba-Sasayama area who completed two academic surveys (baseline and follow-up), excluding those with missing data. Cognitive function was assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at baseline and follow-up and relative values (rMMSE) were calculated. At baseline, oral function was assessed by number of remaining teeth, masticatory performance (MP) with gummy jelly, occlusal force (OF) with force meter (GM10, Nagano Instrument), tongue function with 'ta' sound (ODK) using Kenko-kun (Takei Rika Instrument, Niigata) and measuring maximum tongue pressure with tongue pressure device (JMS, Tokyo). We considered confounding factors for cognitive function such as educational background, activities of daily living, medical history (neurodegenerative diseases, hypertension, diabetes, stroke) and physical function, such as normal walking speed, standing on one leg with open eyes, grip strength (Takei Machinery Corporation, Niigata) and knee extension force (Moby, Sakai Medical, Tokyo). Correlation between baseline MMSE and other factors was examined using correlation coefficients. Multiple regression analysis assessed age-related changes in cognitive function using rMMSE as the objective variable, variables significantly associated with cognitive function as explanatory factors and confounding factors as interaction terms.
[Results and Discussion]
Participants with higher baseline MMSE scores had better oral health factors, including more teeth, better MP, stronger OF and higher ODK. In multiple regression analysis, rMMSE showed a significant association with ODK (p = 0.044) and knee extension force (p = 0.004) after adjusting for age and gender, suggesting that cognitive function improved with higher ODK and/or good knee extension force. People with higher ODK scores, indicating better tongue-lip motor function might have been more socially active and physically capable, leading to higher MMSE scores in our study. Our findings indicate a significant relationship between ODK and cognitive function changes in older adults, emphasizing the importance of maintaining oral muscle function for cognitive improvement.
[Objective]
Maintaining cognitive function in older adults is crucial for independence, social engagement and overall well-being. However, factors related to cognitive changes remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the relationship between cognitive function and oral health in older adults.
[Method]
This study enrolled 581 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years or older in Tamba-Sasayama area who completed two academic surveys (baseline and follow-up), excluding those with missing data. Cognitive function was assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at baseline and follow-up and relative values (rMMSE) were calculated. At baseline, oral function was assessed by number of remaining teeth, masticatory performance (MP) with gummy jelly, occlusal force (OF) with force meter (GM10, Nagano Instrument), tongue function with 'ta' sound (ODK) using Kenko-kun (Takei Rika Instrument, Niigata) and measuring maximum tongue pressure with tongue pressure device (JMS, Tokyo). We considered confounding factors for cognitive function such as educational background, activities of daily living, medical history (neurodegenerative diseases, hypertension, diabetes, stroke) and physical function, such as normal walking speed, standing on one leg with open eyes, grip strength (Takei Machinery Corporation, Niigata) and knee extension force (Moby, Sakai Medical, Tokyo). Correlation between baseline MMSE and other factors was examined using correlation coefficients. Multiple regression analysis assessed age-related changes in cognitive function using rMMSE as the objective variable, variables significantly associated with cognitive function as explanatory factors and confounding factors as interaction terms.
[Results and Discussion]
Participants with higher baseline MMSE scores had better oral health factors, including more teeth, better MP, stronger OF and higher ODK. In multiple regression analysis, rMMSE showed a significant association with ODK (p = 0.044) and knee extension force (p = 0.004) after adjusting for age and gender, suggesting that cognitive function improved with higher ODK and/or good knee extension force. People with higher ODK scores, indicating better tongue-lip motor function might have been more socially active and physically capable, leading to higher MMSE scores in our study. Our findings indicate a significant relationship between ODK and cognitive function changes in older adults, emphasizing the importance of maintaining oral muscle function for cognitive improvement.