title: Comparison of functionally orientated tooth replacement and removable partial dentures on the nutritional status of partially dentate older patients: a randomised controlled clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to conduct a randomised controlled clinical trial (RCT) of partially dentate older adults comparing functionally orientated treatment based on the SDA concept with conventional treatment using RPDs to replace missing natural teeth. The two treatment strategies were evaluated according to their impact on nutritional status measured using haematological biomarkers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomised controlled clinical trial (RCT) was conducted of partially dentate patients aged 65 years and older (Trial Registration no. ISRCTN26302774). Each patient provided haematological samples which were screened for biochemical markers of nutritional status. Each sample was tested in Cork University Hospital for serum Albumin, serum Cholesterol, Ferritin, Folate, Vitamin B12 and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (Vitamin D).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A mixed model analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicated that for Vitamin B12 (p=0.9392), serum Folate (p=0.5827), Ferritin (p=0.6964), Albumin (p=0.8179), Serum Total Cholesterol (p=0.3670) and Vitamin D (p=0.7666) there were no statistically significant differences recorded between the two treatment groups. According to the mixed model analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) for Vitamin D there was a significant difference between levels recorded at post-operative time points after treatment intervention (p=0.0470). There was an increase of 7% in 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels recorded at 6 months compared to baseline (p=0.0172). There was no further change in recorded levels at 12 months (p=0.6482) and these increases were similar within the two treatment groups (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The only measure which illustrated consistent significant improvements in nutritional status for either group were Vitamin D levels. However no significant difference was recorded between the two treatment groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Functionally orientated prosthodontic rehabilitation for partially dentate older patients was no worse than conventional removable partial dentures in terms of impact on nutritional status.
authors.affiliation: Cork University Dental School and Hospital, University College Cork, Ireland. Electronic address: g.mckenna@ucc.ie.
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McKenna
authors.affiliation: Cork University Dental School and Hospital, University College Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: P Finbarr
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University College Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Mahony
authors.affiliation: School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Flynn
authors.affiliation: School of Mathematical Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cronin
authors.affiliation: Cork University Dental School and Hospital, University College Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Cristiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: DaMata
authors.affiliation: Centre for Policy Studies, University College Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Woods
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003779:Denture Design; D016379:Denture, Partial, Fixed, Resin-Bonded; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D012923:Social Class; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D012709:Serum Albumin; D014807:Vitamin D; D005293:Ferritins; D005492:Folic Acid; D002784:Cholesterol; D014805:Vitamin B 12
keywords: Elderly; Nutrition; Partially dentate; Prosthodontics