Work

Edentulism and all-cause mortality among middle-aged and older people in China: A 9-year cohort study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between edentulism and all-cause mortality over a 9-year period and explore how edentulism influences mortality risk in the presence of chronic diseases. METHODS: Data were derived from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), encompassing six waves from 2011 to 2020. Edentulism was assessed via self-reports of 'loss of all natural teeth'. Covariates included demographic status, behavioural factors, and chronic disease history (14 diseases). Kaplan-Meier survival analyses illustrated mortality rates by edentulism status, while Cox proportional hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality, adjusting for relevant covariates. Sub analyses explored all-cause mortality risk in the presence of different chronic diseases. RESULTS: A total of 11,883 individuals of median age 58.8 (IQR 51.9, 66.3) were included in the analyses with 94,648 person-years of follow-up. After adjustment for covariates, edentulism exhibited a higher risk of all-cause mortality over the 9-year period (HR 1.25; 95 % CI, 1.11-1.41). Sub analyses identified that edentulousness was associated with increased mortality risks among patients diagnosed with kidney disease (HR = 1.71; 95 % CI, 1.11-2.65), memory-related diseases (HR = 1.61; 95 % CI, 1.00-2.60), dyslipidemia (HR = 1.70; 95 % CI, 1.13-2.56), heart disease (HR = 1.43; 95 % CI, 1.09-1.87) and arthritis (HR = 1.33; 95 % CI, 1.09-1.62). CONCLUSION: Edentulism is associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality over a 9-year period, having accounted for demographic, behavioural and chronic disease factors. Furthermore, edentulism is associated with an increased mortality risk among several chronic diseases. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The results highlight the importance of considering oral health status in health assessments and mortality risks.

Source: Journal of Dentistry

DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2026.106512

Authors: Qiuping Zhou, Jing Kang, Walter Yu Hang Lam, Colman McGrath

Institutions: University of Hong Kong, King's College London

Language: English

Topic: Dental Health and Care Utilization

Subfield: Periodontics

Field: Dentistry

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,160