Abstract
BackgroundHyposalivation is associated with the nutritional status. Anorexia of ageing, defined as an age-related decrease in appetite and food intake, presents even in healthy adults and is considered an independent predictor of malnutrition, frailty, and mortality. However, the relationship between anorexia and hyposalivation of ageing is unclear. Thus, the present longitudinal study aimed to investigate the incidence of hyposalivation and its relationship with anorexia in community-dwelling older people in Japan.MethodsThe study population comprised 220 individuals (80 men and 140 women) aged 65–86 years at baseline. The participants underwent comprehensive health check-ups, including dental examinations and anthropometry, and face-to-face interviews in 2013 and 2019. Hyposalivation was determined on the basis of the unstimulated salivary flow rate measured using the modified cotton roll method. Anorexia was defined as a score of ≤29 in the Japanese version of the Council on Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were used to test whether the presence of anorexia at baseline was an independent predictor of hyposalivation.ResultsHyposalivation developed at a rate of 19.5% during the 6-year observation period. Anorexia was observed in 95 (43.2%) participants at baseline. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, anorexia (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26–5.57) and polypharmacy (AOR, 3.29; CI, 1.06–10.19) were significant predictors of hyposalivation.ConclusionLoss of appetite is independently correlated with and a risk factor for hyposalivation in older adults. Anorexia of ageing may have negative effects on the salivary flow rate in such settings. Salivation should be a standard feature in clinical assessments of the older adults.
Highlights
Hyposalivation is associated with the nutritional status
Written informed consent was obtained from all participants and the study was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki
Over the 6-year follow-up period, 19.5% participants developed hyposalivation; no significant differences were observed with respect to sex or age
Summary
Hyposalivation is associated with the nutritional status. Anorexia of ageing, defined as an age-related decrease in appetite and food intake, presents even in healthy adults and is considered an independent predictor of malnutrition, frailty, and mortality. The relationship between anorexia and hyposalivation of ageing is unclear. The present longitudinal study aimed to investigate the incidence of hyposalivation and its relationship with anorexia in community-dwelling older people in Japan. Hyposalivation, an objective, measurable decrease in the flow of saliva, is highly prevalent in older adults [2]. Saliva contains digestive enzymes and allows for perception of the taste of foods and other substances [4]; it is strongly associated with nutritional intake. In previous Japanese studies, older people with hyposalivation showed lower intake of certain foods, including vegetables and seafood. Hyposalivation has been associated with problems of taste perception, willingness to eat and enjoyment of meals, quality of life, and malnutrition [3, 5,6,7]
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