Association Between Oral Frailty and Health Indicators Using Data from the 2023 Korea National Health and…

Cross-sectionalHealthcare (Basel, Switzerland)· Jul 2026

Association Between Oral Frailty and Health Indicators Using Data from the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Seol-Hee Kim

GeriatricsCross-sectionalPrognosisQ2IF 1.2

Oral frailty prevalence rises sharply with age, from 8.2% to 48.5%.

Association Between Oral Frailty and Health Indicators Using Data from the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Seol-Hee Kim

Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · Jul 2026

Purpose

In this study, we aimed to investigate age-specific prevalence and patterns of oral frailty among Korean adults and examine its multidimensional associations with physical and mental health and health-related quality of life, from a life-course perspective.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 4459 adults aged ≥25 years from the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

n = 4459 adults

Results

Share of adults meeting oral frailty criteria rose about sixfold from youngest to oldest group.

25-44 years

8.2%

≥75 years

48.5%

More results

Frail participants showed significantly higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes and lower ASM, compared with non-frail participants.

Difficulty pronouncing words and toothache experience showed the strongest contributions to the overall oral frailty score ( p < 0.001).

More results

Health-related quality of life was consistently lower in frail participants than in non-frail participants across all age groups ( p < 0.001).

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

Oral frailty is a multidimensional indicator associated with systemic aging, metabolic health, psychological distress, and reduced quality of life across the life course.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

These findings support the need for integrated, life-course-oriented oral health interventions beginning in early adulthood to prevent functional decline and promote healthy aging.

Association Between Oral Frailty and Health Indicators Using Data from the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Association Between Oral Frailty and Health Indicators Using Data from the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: A Cross-Sectional Study.

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