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A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study on Oral Health and Nutritional Status of Institutionalized Older Adults: A Focus on Sarcopenia

Author

Listed:
  • Luca Aquilanti

    (Department of Clinical Specialistic and Dental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto 10/A, 60126 Ancona, Italy)

  • Sonila Alia

    (Department of Clinical Specialistic and Dental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto 10/A, 60126 Ancona, Italy)

  • Sofia Pugnaloni

    (Department of Clinical Specialistic and Dental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto 10/A, 60126 Ancona, Italy)

  • Lorenzo Scalise

    (Department of Industrial Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche 12, 60131 Ancona, Italy)

  • Arianna Vignini

    (Department of Clinical Specialistic and Dental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto 10/A, 60126 Ancona, Italy)

  • Giorgio Rappelli

    (Department of Clinical Specialistic and Dental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto 10/A, 60126 Ancona, Italy
    Dentistry Clinic, National Institute of Health and Science of Aging, IRCCS INRCA, Via Tronto 10/A, 60126 Ancona, Italy)

Abstract

The global population aged over 60 will double by 2050. This pilot cross-sectional study aims at evaluating nutritional and oral health status and the prevalence of sarcopenia in older adults living in an Italian residential aged care facility. Thirty-two adults aged ≥65 years were included. Individual sociodemographic data and nutritional and oral health data were collected. For sarcopenia diagnosis, muscle mass, physical performance, muscle strength and anthropometric parameters were recorded. Participants underwent a nutritional screening and a dental examination. Mini Nutritional Assessment and masticatory mixing ability test were performed. The results showed that men recorded a hand strength significantly higher than that of women, 25.5 ± 7.2 Kg vs. 12.8 ± 5.9 Kg ( p < 0.01), respectively. Gait speed test showed that only 20.8% of the participants had a speed of more than 0.8 m/s. A strong negative correlation between masticatory performance and the number of missing teeth was detected (r = −0.84, 95% C.I. [−0.92; −0.69], p < 0.01). Overall, a high percentage of institutionalized older adults were diagnosed as being sarcopenic. Poor oral health in older adults is a major general health problem as it may restrict both food selection and nutrient intake, representing a risk factor for sarcopenia, although longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this relationship.

Suggested Citation

  • Luca Aquilanti & Sonila Alia & Sofia Pugnaloni & Lorenzo Scalise & Arianna Vignini & Giorgio Rappelli, 2021. "A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study on Oral Health and Nutritional Status of Institutionalized Older Adults: A Focus on Sarcopenia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:24:p:13232-:d:703198
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    Cited by:

    1. Ryuichi Shirahase & Yutaka Watanabe & Tohru Saito & Yusuke Sunakawa & Yuya Matsushita & Hideki Tsugayasu & Yutaka Yamazaki, 2022. "A Cross-Sectional Study on the Relationship between Oral Function and Sarcopenia in Japanese Patients with Regular Dental Maintenance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-12, April.

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