The association of oral hypofunction/adiposity and increased arterial stiffness

Abstract

Abstract Background Sarcopenia and adiposity are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Recently, oral hypofunction, a disease in which oral function is complexly reduced not only by aging but also by a variety of factors, has been regarded as a major risk factor for sarcopenia. However, no studies have evaluated the association between oral hypofunction/adiposity and arterial stiffness, which is a CVD marker. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the association between oral hypofunction/adiposity and arterial stiffness. Methods Japanese Subjects aged > 50 years who underwent annual health check-ups were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Subjects with a history of CVD or dementia were excluded from the study. Arterial stiffness was evaluated using the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Adiposity was defined as visceral fat > 100 cm2, as evaluated using abdominal computed tomography. Oral hypofunction was evaluated according to the guidelines of the Japanese Association for Dental Science. Seven oral factors were assessed: oral hygiene, oral moisture, occlusal force, tongue-lip motor function, tongue pressure, masticatory function, and swallowing function. Oral hypofunction was diagnosed if more than 3 factors deteriorated. We categorized the participants into four groups according to the existence of oral hypofunction and adiposity. The associations between oral hypofunction/adiposity and baPWV were assessed by multivariable linear regression analysis adjusted for conventional CVD risk factors. Results We categorized 146 subjects (mean age:59±7 years) into four groups: subjects with both oral hypofunction and adiposity (N=16), only adiposity (N=46), only oral hypofunction (N=17), and none of them (N=67). The baPWV values of the groups were 1673±354, 1481±262, 1412±206, and 1372±254 cm/s, respectively. BaPWV in subjects with both oral hypofunction and adiposity was the highest compared to that in the other three groups (P<0.01). Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that the combination or oral hypofunction and adiposity was significantly associated with increased arterial stiffness independent of CVD risk factors including lipid and glucose metabolism. (β=232±77, P<0.01). Also, the combination or oral hypofunction and adiposity, only adiposity, only oral hypofunction, were gradually associated with increased arterial stiffness (β=54±22, P=0.01). Conclusion The combination of oral hypofunction and adiposity was associated with increased arterial stiffness independent of conventional CVD risk factors. Further research on oral hypofunction/adiposity and CVD is warranted.