Relationships Between Tooth Loss and Masticatory Performance, Nutrition Intake, and Nutritional Status in the Elderly

Prasiswantoro Saksono, Marisza Hijryana, Angus Walls, Lindawati Kusdhany, Muslita Indrasari, Nina Ariani
2019 Pesquisa Brasileira em Odontopediatria e Clínica Integrada  
Objective: To analyze the associations between posterior tooth loss and masticatory performance, nutrition intake, and nutritional status in the elderly. Material and Methods: A total of 158 subjects aged 60 years and older from Depok, West Java, Indonesia were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Posterior teeth contacts were assessed and the subjects were divided into two groups based on Eichner Index; group A2-B3 and group B4-C3. The masticatory performance test was conducted using
more » ... hangeable chewing gum. A semi-quantitative foodfrequency questionnaire was used to measure nutritional intake in the form of total calories, and the Mini-Nutritional Assessment-Short Form was used to measure nutritional status. Mann Whitney U test was used to determine differences in masticatory performance, nutrition intake, and nutritional status between the two groups. Results: Seventy-four percent of participants were female, and 26% were male. A significant difference in the mean masticatory performance score (p<0.001) was noted between Eichner group A2-B3 (5.66 ± 1.80) and B4-C3 (3.20 ± 1.25). However, no statistically significant difference in nutritional status and calorie intake were found between the two groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Despite the adequacy of nutrition intake and nutrition status in this population, tooth replacement is necessary to improve masticatory performance in both groups.
doi:10.4034/pboci.2019.191.148 fatcat:qhonpminvzeofkvyki55fwjjz4