한국 노인의 인지기능 상태에 따른 구강 상태 및 저작기능 : 60세 이상 대상 연구

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Masticatory function is essential for maintaining systemic health and cognitive function. Recent studies suggest that oral health, particularly chewing ability, may have a significant impact on cognitive decline in older adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between oral health conditions, objective masticatory function, and cognitive status in elderly individuals (aged 60 to 80) in Korea. Methods: A total of99 elderly Korean participants were recruited and underwent assessments of sociodemographic characteristics and neuropsychological testing. Based on a neurologist’s diagnosis, participants were categorized into three groups: cognitively normal, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia. Oral health was evaluated by examining the number of residual teeth, the number of functional teeth, and the severity of periodontal disease. Objective masticatory function was measured using the Dental Prescale SystemⓇ, which quantifies occlusal contact area and maximum bite force. Results: The proportion of participants with fewer than20 remaining teeth was significantly higher in the AD group compared to the cognitively normal group (p < 0.05). This proportion also showed a tendency to increase with greater cognitive decline. The severity of alveolar bone resorption, an indicator of periodontal disease, was significantly more pronounced in individuals with advanced cognitive impairment (p < 0.05). Moreover, both occlusal contact area and maximum bite force were significantly reduced in the AD group compared to the normal group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study highlights that cognitive decline is closely associated with not only the number of remaining teeth and the severity of periodontal disease but also with objective measures of masticatory function, such as occlusal contact area and maximum bite force. The findings suggest that tooth loss and masticatory dysfunction may serve as important risk indicators for Alzheimer’s disease dementia. Therefore, maintaining oral health could play a critical role in preserving cognitive function in older adults. Further longitudinal studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms connecting oral health and cognitive decline.