Abstract
The aim of this systematic review was to examine the association between malnutrition and oral health in older people (≥ 60 years of age). A comprehensive systematic literature search was performed in four databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source, and Embase) for literature from January 2000 to May 2020. Both observational and intervention studies were screened for eligibility. Two reviewers independently screened the search results to identify potential eligible studies, and assessed the methodological quality of the full-text studies. A total of 3240 potential studies were identified. After judgement for relevance, 10 studies (cross-sectional (n = 9), prospective cohort (n = 1)) met the inclusion criteria. Three studies described malnourished participants as having fewer teeth, or functional (tooth) units (FTUs), compared to well-nourished participants. Four studies reported soft tissue problems in malnourished participants, including red tongue with blisters, and dry or cracked lips. Subjective oral health was the topic in six studies, with poorer oral health and negative self-perception of oral health in malnourished elderly participants. There are associations between (at risk of) malnutrition and oral health in older people, categorized in hard and soft tissue conditions of the mouth, and subjective oral health. Future research should be focused on longitudinal cohort studies with proper determination of malnutrition and oral health assessments, in order to evaluate the actual association between malnutrition and oral health in older people.
Highlights
IntroductionAging is a complex phenomenon that, partially due to the occurrence of chronic diseases, can result in frailty, limited mobility, and other aspects of physical and cognitive decline [1,2,3]
The aim of this systematic review was to examine the association between malnutrition and oral health in terms of hard and soft tissue conditions of the mouth, xerostomia and salivary flow, and general oral health in older people (≥60 years of age)
This systematic review describes the associations between malnutrition and hard and soft tissue conditions of the mouth, hyposalivation, xerostomia, and subjective oral health in older people
Summary
Aging is a complex phenomenon that, partially due to the occurrence of chronic diseases, can result in frailty, limited mobility, and other aspects of physical and cognitive decline [1,2,3]. Major concerns for older people are poor general health and poor nutrition [1,3]. In the Netherlands, it is estimated that one in three older people receiving formal home care is malnourished, and nearly 20% of the independently living older people (>85 y) suffer from a poor nutritional status [4]. Prevalence rates of high risk for malnutrition in older people in Europe are 28% (hospital), 17.5% (residential care), and 8.5% (community settings), according to a recent systematic review [5]. Malnutrition risk is associated with older age, presence of disease, and gender [5].
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