{"title":"Oral health and cognitive function: Insights from longitudinal ageing study in India (LASI) - A cross-sectional analysis","authors":"Sakthi Kiruthika K , Akshata Rao , Abhijith Rajaram Rao, Bhawana Painkra, Akash Jaiswal, Pramod Kumar, Nidhi Soni, Naveet Wig, Prasun Chatterjee, Avinash Chakrawarty","doi":"10.1016/j.aggp.2024.100049","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>The oral cavity is related to nervous system diseases, and oral issues have a bidirectional correlation with cognitive dysfunction. Thus, this study aims to explore the association between oral health problems and cognitive dysfunction in community-dwelling Indian older adults.</p></div><div><h3>Materials and Methods</h3><p>Utilizing data from LASI, a nationally representative cohort study, this study involved 30,726 participants aged ≥60 years. The oral health problems of study participants were self-reported. Cognitive impairment was assessed using composite score, and a score of less than -1.5 SD was defined as the presence of cognitive impairment.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>In univariate analysis, significant associations were observed between oral health problems (loss of some natural teeth, OR: 1.33, 95 % CI: 1.15–1.52, <em>p</em> < 0.001; lost all natural teeth, OR: 2.33, 95 % CI: 1.97–2.76, <em>p</em> < 0.001) and ease of chewing solid food [Fairly well (OR: 1.51, 95 % CI: 1.33–1.71, <em>p</em> < 0.001) and not at all (OR: 2.37, 95 % CI: 2.11–2.67, <em>p</em> < 0.001)] with cognitive impairment. In multivariate analysis, adjusted for various factors, a significant association persisted between loss of all natural teeth (OR: 1.62, 95 % CI: 1.34–1.95, <em>p</em> < 0.001) and the ability to chew solid food. Specifically, individuals reporting chewing solid food “Fairly well” (OR: 1.34, 95 % CI: 1.16–1.52, <em>p</em> < 0.001) and those unable to chew at all (OR: 1.73, 95 % CI: 1.51–1.97, <em>p</em> < 0.001) with cognitive impairment.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The findings of this study underscore a compelling connection between oral health issues and cognitive impairment. Consequently, it is imperative to proactively identify and address oral health problems in older adults.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100119,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus","volume":"1 4","pages":"Article 100049"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2024-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950307824000468/pdfft?md5=e8e9dc1193ca557229bea752a808e755&pid=1-s2.0-S2950307824000468-main.pdf","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950307824000468","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"","JCRName":"","Score":null,"Total":0}
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Abstract
Introduction
The oral cavity is related to nervous system diseases, and oral issues have a bidirectional correlation with cognitive dysfunction. Thus, this study aims to explore the association between oral health problems and cognitive dysfunction in community-dwelling Indian older adults.
Materials and Methods
Utilizing data from LASI, a nationally representative cohort study, this study involved 30,726 participants aged ≥60 years. The oral health problems of study participants were self-reported. Cognitive impairment was assessed using composite score, and a score of less than -1.5 SD was defined as the presence of cognitive impairment.
Results
In univariate analysis, significant associations were observed between oral health problems (loss of some natural teeth, OR: 1.33, 95 % CI: 1.15–1.52, p < 0.001; lost all natural teeth, OR: 2.33, 95 % CI: 1.97–2.76, p < 0.001) and ease of chewing solid food [Fairly well (OR: 1.51, 95 % CI: 1.33–1.71, p < 0.001) and not at all (OR: 2.37, 95 % CI: 2.11–2.67, p < 0.001)] with cognitive impairment. In multivariate analysis, adjusted for various factors, a significant association persisted between loss of all natural teeth (OR: 1.62, 95 % CI: 1.34–1.95, p < 0.001) and the ability to chew solid food. Specifically, individuals reporting chewing solid food “Fairly well” (OR: 1.34, 95 % CI: 1.16–1.52, p < 0.001) and those unable to chew at all (OR: 1.73, 95 % CI: 1.51–1.97, p < 0.001) with cognitive impairment.
Conclusion
The findings of this study underscore a compelling connection between oral health issues and cognitive impairment. Consequently, it is imperative to proactively identify and address oral health problems in older adults.