Correlation between oral frailty and health-related quality of life (HINT-8) among older adults in Korea

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to confirm the correlation between oral frailty and health-related quality of life (HINT-8) among older adults in Korea. Methods: The data of 1,318 individuals aged ≥65 years who participated in the eighth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019) were analyzed using complex sample statistical analysis. Results: Chewing discomfort was found to decrease the HINT-8 scores by 1.246, 1.324, and 1.089 times in the physical, social, and mental domains, respectively. Speech discomfort was found to decrease the HINT-8 scores by 1.275, 1.449, and 1.175 times in the physical, social, and mental domains, respectively. The HINT-8 scores of participants with ＜19 natural teeth were lower in the physical and social domains. Similarly, the HINT-8 scores of participants with brushing frequency of ＜2 were lower in the positive health domain. Non-use of oral hygiene products led to a reduction in the HINT-8 score in the social health domain. Conclusions: Oral frailty in older adults reduces the health-related quality of life. Thus, it is necessary to formulate policies to manage oral frailty in this population and develop specialized programs for the management of oral frailty.