Association between poor oral health and deterioration of appetite in older age: results from longitudinal analyses of two prospective cohorts from the UK and USA
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the association of poor oral health with appetite loss and deterioration in appetite longitudinally in older adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional and longitudinal observational study. SETTING: Data came from two population-based cohorts of older adults from the UK and USA. PARTICIPANTS: The British Regional Heart Study (BRHS) included men (n=1348, age=79-87 years in 2016-2017 at baseline and 81-89 years in 2018-2019 at follow-up). The US Health, Aging and Body Composition (HABC) Study included men and women (n=2998, age=71-77 years in 1998-1999 at baseline and 73-79 years in 2000-2001 at follow-up). Objective and self-reported oral health measures were collected. OUTCOME MEASURES: Loss of appetite, at baseline and 2-year follow-up, was based on the Simplified Nutrition Assessment Questionnaire in the BRHS and self-reported appetite loss in the HABC Study. In the BRHS, changes in oral health over time were also assessed. Logistic regression models were adjusted for sociodemographic, behavioural and health-related factors. RESULTS: Cross-sectionally, poor self-rated oral health, dry mouth, eating or chewing difficulty, food avoidance and cumulative oral health problems were associated with appetite loss in both studies. Longitudinally, in the BRHS, dry mouth (OR=2.12 (95% CI=1.40 to 3.20)), eating or chewing difficulty (OR=1.59 (95% CI=1.02 to 2.48)), food avoidance (OR=1.75 (95% CI=1.16 to 2.65)) and cumulative oral health problems (OR=2.84 (95% CI=1.80 to 4.50)) at baseline were associated with sustained poor/deterioration in appetite over the follow-up, after full adjustment. In the HABC Study, self-rated oral health ((OR=1.13 (95% CI=1.01 to 1.27)), tooth loss (OR=1.78 (95% CI=1.15 to 2.76)), dry mouth (OR=1.76 (95% CI=1.02 to 3.03)), eating or chewing difficulty (OR=1.88 (95% CI=1.41 to 2.50)) and cumulative oral health problems (OR=1.89 (95% CI=1.33 to 2.70)) at baseline were associated with sustained poor/deterioration in appetite during follow-up. In the BRHS, sustained poor/deterioration in oral health markers (self-rated oral health, dry mouth, eating or chewing difficulty, food avoidance, loose denture/s) over the follow-up were associated with sustained poor/deterioration of appetite. CONCLUSION: Oral health is a potentially important contributor to maintaining good appetite in older age.
Source: BMJ Open
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,839
Awards: G100949702, RENEWAL: British Regional Heart Study: a prospective investigation of the aetiology and prevention of coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure among older British men, G1083180012, The British Regional Heart Study: a resource for studying the causes, pathways and prevention of cardiovascular disease and disability among older British men, G1751314254, G2245013492, G2741792843, G2815873878, British Regional Heart Study (BRHS): a long-term prospective investigation of cardiovascular disease (causes, pathways, prediction and prevention) among older British men (renewal), Explaining excess winter mortality from coronary heart disease: analysis of UK-based prospective studies, G3371982703, G3570525151, G3629255601, Understanding the contribution of poor oral health to sarcopenia in older age and underlying mechanisms using UK and US cohort studies, G4850385129, G5612504302, G581554933, G670738241, G7166013172, Understanding the associations between physical activity and sedentary behaviours with cardiovascular risk in older age: a population-based study with objective physical activity monitoring, G861947890, G88327988, G9000001086, G9000284156
OpenAlex ID: W4407100643