Tooth retention predicts good physical performance in older adults

Estella Musacchio; Pierluigi Binotto; Egle Perissinotto; Giuseppe Sergi; Sabina Zambon; Maria-Chiara Corti; Anna-Chiara Frigo; Leonardo Sartori

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0255741

Tooth retention predicts good physical performance in older adults

PLoS One. 2021 Sep 20;16(9):e0255741. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255741. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Estella Musacchio¹, Pierluigi Binotto², Egle Perissinotto³, Giuseppe Sergi¹, Sabina Zambon¹, Maria-Chiara Corti⁴, Anna-Chiara Frigo³, Leonardo Sartori¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
² Dental Private Practice, Padova, Italy.
³ Department of Cardiologic, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences - Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health - University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
⁴ Azienda Zero, Epidemiology Division, Padova, Italy.

Abstract

Background: Oral health is closely related to both physical and psychological well-being, as it enables individuals to eat, speak, and socialize. The number of teeth is the most used indicator of oral health. Several reports document a relationship of dental status with a variety of indicators of general health but longitudinal studies employing standardized physical performance tests are infrequent in the scientific literature.

Subjects and methods: The Italian elderly participating in the Pro.V.A. longitudinal Study (3099 subjects aged 65+ at baseline, 2196 at the 5-year follow-up 1 and 1641 at the 7-year follow- up 2) underwent detailed interview and extensive clinical and instrumental examination that included validated physical performance measures. Participants were classified into 4 groups according to the number of remaining teeth: 0, 1-7, 8-19, and 20+. To explore the association of the number of remaining teeth with physical function and disability, we performed logistic regression analyses with models progressively adjusted for a wide number of covariates, namely anthropometric (gender, age, BMI), comorbidity (cardio-vascular, osteoarticular, and neurological diseases including depression), muscle strength (assessed for upper and lower limbs), lifestyle (smoking status, alcohol use, leisure time activities) and socioeconomical status (education, income, marital status, loneliness).

Results: Dental status correlated with most comorbidities, lifestyle, and socio-economic variables at the univariate analysis at baseline and at follow-ups. A good dental status was significantly associated with better physical functioning and lower disability. The presence of 20+ teeth resulted significantly protective (reference group: 0 teeth) versus mobility-related disability (OR = 0.67), disability (OR = 0.54) and inability to perform heavy duties (OR = 0.62), at follow up 1 and low physical performance score (OR = 0.59) at follow up 2. Conversely, the detrimental effect of edentulism, explored in subjects with or without dentures, was present but not as straightforward. Conclusion. The assessment of a geriatric patient should include an oral evaluation as a good dental status is a crucial component of successful aging.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging*
Female
Geriatric Assessment / methods*
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Oral Health
Physical Functional Performance*
Social Class*
Tooth / physiology*

Grants and funding

The study was supported by the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Padova e Rovigo, the University of Padova,; the Veneto Regional Local Health and Social Care Units 15 and 18 (Azienda Unità Locale Socio Sanitaria 15 and 18). The sponsor had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.