Oral Frailty in Older Adults: Prevalence and Outcomes
Author Information
Author(s): Zhu Sheng-Rui, Wei Liu-Ying, Jia Kui, Xie Yuan-Xi, Tan Zheng-Ke-Ke, Mo Shu-Tian, Tang Wen-Zhen
Primary Institution: The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence and what are the unfavourable outcomes of oral frailty in older adults?
Conclusion
Oral frailty is prevalent among older adults and is associated with various adverse health outcomes.
Supporting Evidence
- The pooled prevalence of oral frailty was found to be 32%.
- Oral frailty is linked to a higher risk of physical frailty.
- Older adults with oral frailty are more likely to experience malnutrition.
- Low dietary variety is associated with oral frailty.
- Social withdrawal is a common outcome for older adults with oral frailty.
Takeaway
Many older people have problems with their mouths that can make them sick and lonely. We need to help them eat better and feel better.
Methodology
The study systematically reviewed and analyzed data from 28 studies on oral frailty in older adults.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to the subjective nature of some assessment tools and the exclusion of non-English studies.
Limitations
The studies included varied in assessment methods and were mostly conducted in Japan, which may limit generalizability.
Participant Demographics
The studies involved older adults aged 60 and above, with a majority being from Japan.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 0.24, 0.41
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website