Oral Health, Polypharmacy and Nutritional Status in Institutionalized Dementia Patients: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.
Each additional medication linked to lower odds of retaining natural teeth
Oral Health, Polypharmacy and Nutritional Status in Institutionalized Dementia Patients: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.
As the population ages, dementia poses a critical public health challenge.
This study examined the oral health and nutritional status of institutionalized Portuguese adults with dementia, exploring their interrelated predictors.
This multicenter, cross-sectional study assessed institutionalized patients using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, posterior functional units (posterior functional units), plaque (PI) and gingival (gingival) indices, the Short Xerostomia Inventory (SXI-5), and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (Mini Nutritional Assessment).
The study included 71 participants (mean age: 82.5 ± 6.9 years).
A high dental disease burden (mean DMFT score of 24.3 ± 7.5) was observed, independently predicted by advanced age (β = 0.48, p = 0.002) and residence in public long-term care units (long-term care units) (β = 6.65, p = 0.001).
Higher cognitive decline (GDS) was associated with increased plaque ( p = 0.043), and modified-texture diets were associated with lower plaque levels (β = -0.64, p = 0.021).
The mean Mini Nutritional Assessment score (16.9 ± 3.8) indicated a high risk of malnutrition, with a trend toward lower gingival inflammation with better nutritional status ( p = 0.061).
Institutionalized dementia patients face severe oral and nutritional risks associated with age, polypharmacy and institutional environment. This emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary protocols and caregiver training.