title: Prosthetic rehabilitation of edentulism prevents malnutrition in nursing home residents.
abstract: To investigate the association between prosthetic rehabilitation and malnutrition in institutionalized elders, 255 nursing home residents were recruited for this study and underwent a comprehensive dental examination. The body mass index (BMI) was administered to estimate the nutritional condition. Participants with BMI < 20 kg/mc were categorized as malnourished (n = 33), whereas all others were categorized as adequately nourished (n = 222). The number of teeth present and the prevalence of prosthetic rehabilitation were significantly lower in malnourished participants (P < .05). Malnutrition risk was 4.6 times higher for participants who were edentulous and did not wear dentures. Adequate replacement of teeth is important to prevent malnutrition in institutionalized older people.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andreas Zenthöfer
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rammelsberg
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cabrera
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hassel
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003781:Denture Retention; D003778:Dentures; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000534:rehabilitation*