Journal of Korean Dental Science

Korean Academy of Dental Science (대한치의학회)
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Subjective Assessment of Oral Hypofunction Related to Independent Physical Activities among the Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Mediation of Muscle Strength and Cognitive Function

  • Jeong-Eun Kim (Department of Preventive Dentistry, Kyungpook National University School of Dentistry) ;
  • Eun-Kyong Kim (Department of Preventive Dentistry, Kyungpook National University School of Dentistry) ;
  • Youn-Hee Choi (Department of Preventive Dentistry, Kyungpook National University School of Dentistry)
  • Received : 2025.08.13
  • Accepted : 2025.09.29
  • Published : 2025.12.31
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Abstract

Introduction: There is still a need for understanding its mechanism about association between oral hypofunction and physical activity. We investigated this association by assessing oral function comprehensively in longitudinal study, specifically focusing on the roles of muscle strength and cognitive function. Materials and Methods: Community-dwelling elderly data from the Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project cohort during 2016 to 2019 was used. Finally, 454 participants were included. Oral hypofunctions such as the number of teeth, mastication, swallowing, and salivation discomfort were used as exposure. Activities of Daily Living (ADL) including instrumental ADL and handgrip strength and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were used as outcome and mediation-suspecting variables, respectively. To examine the association between oral hypofunction and physical life activities considering repeated measurements, Generalized Estimating Equations regression model was used after adjusting covariates. Also, Baron and Kenny's mediation method was applied to test handgrip strength and MMSE as mediators. Results: The results revealed that subjective discomfort in mastication or swallowing was associated with difficulties in ADL or IADL (P<0.05). Specifically, having more than two discomfort in mastication, swallowing, or salivation were significantly associated with poor ADL (P<0.001). However, the number of teeth was not associated with ADL, including instrumental ADL. Particularly among those having more than two discomfort oral functions, muscle strength was shown to fully mediate this association while MMSE was found to partially mediate (P<0.001). Conclusion: These findings suggest having subjective discomfort in important oral functions might be related to deteriorated physical activities among older adults. Therefore, careful attention might have to be paid to the deterioration of the subjective oral function of the elderly in terms of physical independence.

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References

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