Tooth Loss, Cognitive Impairment and Fall Risk: A Cross-Sectional Study of Older Adults in Rural Thailand

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 19; no. 23; p. 16015
• Main Authors: Turnbull, Niruwan, Cherdsakul, Pichayasuda, Chanaboon, Sutin, Hughes, David, Tudpor, Kukiat
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 30.11.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Adults; Aged; Brain research; Chi-square test; Cognitive ability; Cognitive Dysfunction - epidemiology; Complex variables; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dementia; Dental caries; Disease; Education; Falls; Health risks; Health Status; Humans; Impairment; Low income groups; Middle Aged; Older people; Oral hygiene; Public health; Regression analysis; Rural areas; Sample size; Socioeconomics; Systematic review; Teeth; Tooth Loss - epidemiology; Variables; Thailand; cognitive impairment; rural area; older persons; tooth loss; fall risk
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316015
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827

Tooth loss is associated with both cognitive impairment and fall risk. However, the relationships between these variables are complex and bidirectional. Observed associations have been reported in separate studies but data on rural-dwelling older adults remain sparse. This cross-sectional study investigated socioeconomic and dental factors affecting cognitive functions, and the association between tooth loss, cognitive functioning, and fall risk. Two hundred and thirty-one rural-dwelling older adults (60−74 years old) were recruited from a single Dental Service Unit. Cognitive function and fall risk were assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Morse Fall Scale, respectively. Oral examinations were performed by a dentist using the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs form. 38.1%, had >16 tooth loss. Socioeconomic data and health status were obtained from a questionnaire and interviews. Age, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) score, and the number of teeth lost was significantly associated with impaired cognitive function. Chi-square analysis showed that cognitive function was also associated with fall risk. Past research suggests that much cognitive impairment and fall risk is induced by tooth loss. Service planners need to be aware of the complex bidirectional relationships between these variables and give higher priority to dental services that can improve the general health status and social functioning of older rural adults.