Masticatory dysfunction is associated with worse functional ability: a population-based study.
OBJECTIVE
Because of the ageing of populations, disability has become an emergent problem from the clinical, social, and economic perspectives. Nevertheless, the determinants of disability in older subjects are still unclear. We assessed the association between self-assessed masticatory dysfunction (MD) and functional ability in older subjects.


METHODS
We analysed data of all 350 subjects aged 75+ living in Tuscania (Italy). Functional ability was estimated using the Katz' activities of daily living (ADLs), and the Lawton and Brody instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) scales.


RESULTS
MD was reported by 145 (41%) participants. Disability in the ADLs and IADLs was found in 37 (25%) and 53 (37%) of participants with MD, respectively, but only in 11 (5%) and 30 (15%) of the other participants (p<0.001). MD was associated with disability in the ADLs [odds ratio (OR)=2.40, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.05-5.51], and IADLs (OR=2.77, 95% CI=1.07-7.16) in logistic regression, after adjusting. The association of MD with disability was stronger among subjects aged 80+.


CONCLUSIONS
MD is independently associated with disability in community-dwelling elderly. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of early detection and correction of MD on the preservation of functional status in older populations.
Laudisio
Alice
A
Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Catholic University of Medicine, Rome, Italy. postalice@tiscali.it
Marzetti
Emanuele
E
Pagano
Francesco
F
Bernabei
Roberto
R
Zuccalà
Giuseppe
G
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016321:Dental Care for Aged; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006285:Health Planning; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011788:Quality of Life; D012016:Reference Values; D016353:Self-Examination