Abstract
BackgroundSalivary function has been suggested to be associated with cognitive impairment. However, the effect of salivary flow rate (SFR) on cognitive impairment remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether SFR is associated with cognitive impairment among Korean elders.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 649 elders aged 65 and older in the Korean community-dwelling population. Cognitive impairment was assessed using the Mini-Mental Status Examination. Unstimulated SFR was measured and dichotomized. Denture status, age, sex, education level, smoking, drinking, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity were considered confounders. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to assess the adjusted association. Stratified analysis by sex and denture status was performed to clarify the effect modification.ResultsParticipants without cognitive impairment showed a higher SFR level than those with cognitive impairment (0.81 mL/min for non-cognitive impairment versus 0.52 mL/min for cognitive impairment, p < 0.001). After controlling for confounders, participants with low SFR (< 0.3 mL/min) were more likely to have cognitive impairment by 1.5 times than participants with normal SFR (odds ratio [OR] = 1.5, confidence interval [CI] = 1.05–2.10). The association of low SFR with cognitive impairment was higher in women and dentate participants: about 10% higher in women (OR = 1.63, CI = 1.07–2.50) and about 22% higher in dentate participants (OR = 1.82, CI = 1.41–2.90).ConclusionsSalivary flow rate is independently associated with cognitive impairment among Korean elders. The association was modified in females and dentate elders. Physicians and dentists should consider low SFR and cognitive impairment as a risk factor between them in clinics.
Highlights
Salivary function has been suggested to be associated with cognitive impairment
Participants with cognitive impairment (n = 243) with lower total Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE)-KC score showed a higher prevalence of low salivary flow rate (SFR), higher age, and lower education but less smoking or drinking, hypertension, obesity than those without cognitive impairment (n = 406) (Table 1, Supplementary Table 1 and 2)
There was no significant difference in denture status, sex, diabetes between participants with and without cognitive impairment
Summary
Salivary function has been suggested to be associated with cognitive impairment. The effect of salivary flow rate (SFR) on cognitive impairment remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether SFR is associated with cognitive impairment among Korean elders. Cognitive impairment in the older population has been a head-aching global health problem due to its unclear mechanism and complicated relationship with agingrelated common disorders. The prevalence of dementia in people aged 60 and over is about 5–7% in most world regions [1]. Korean population has gained the fastest aging globally and was expected to be a super-aged society in the 5 years. The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment among Korean elders was estimated to be as high as 24.1%, which would be a severe public health issue [3]. It is crucial to unmask the risk factors of this disorder screening and prevention
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