Association of denture use with sleep-disordered breathing among older adults.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigates the relationship between sleep-disordered breathing and denture use.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling older adults. Information about denture use was obtained using a questionnaire. Ambulatory sleep recording in subjects' homes was performed using Embletta PDS (Medcare, Iceland). Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
A total of 58 subjects completed the study. The mean apnea hypopnea (AHI) index was 15.1+/-16.1. Twenty-two subjects (38%) used dentures and most removed them before sleep. There was significant association between denture use and AHI > or = 15 per hour of sleep (odds ratio [OR]=6.29; 95% confidence interval [CI]= 1.71, 23.22; P=.006).


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary study found an association between sleep-disordered breathing and denture use, which may represent a proxy for a relationship between sleep-disordered breathing and edentulism. Given the common occurrence of both conditions among older adults, the observed relationship warrants a more detailed investigation of the mechanisms whereby loss of teeth leads to upper airway closure during sleep.
Endeshaw
Yohannes W
YW
Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Emory University, 1841 Clifton Road NE, 5th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA. yendesh@emory.edu
Katz
Sheri
S
Ouslander
Joseph G
JG
Bliwise
Donald L
DL
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003824:Denture, Complete; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000150:complications; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000150:complications; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D010092:Oximetry; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology