Abstract
Cognitive decline is one of the major causes of disability among the aging population. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between oral health parameters (number of teeth, chewing ability, and presence of a denture) and cognitive function in the elderly across the UAE. Fifty persons (age ≥ 60; 71.26 ± 10.23) were enrolled in the study. Cognitive status was assessed using the standardized mini-mental state examination (SMMSE) and accordingly, cognitively normal subjects scoring ≥24 were considered as the control group and cognitively impaired individuals scoring ≤23 were considered as the low scoring group. Chewing ability was examined, number of teeth was noted, and demographical data was collected. The results of this pilot study showed that individuals with low SMMSE scores were significantly less educated (P < 0.01) and had fewer number of remaining teeth (P < 0.05) and impaired chewing ability (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate a significant link between the number of teeth, chewing ability, and cognitive function. However, this pilot study had its limitations and was the first of its kind in the UAE and Gulf region; therefore, future research addressing the limitations is needed to further explore this association.
Highlights
On a global scale, according to the United Nations, by midcentury, the number of people over 60 years will represent 32% of the world population [1]
The subjects were divided into two groups according to their standardized mini-mental state examination (SMMSE) scores
The study revealed that the prevalence of a low SMMSE score or poor cognition was significantly greater in association with fewer teeth remaining (P < 0.05) (Figure 1)
Summary
On a global scale, according to the United Nations, by midcentury, the number of people over 60 years will represent 32% of the world population [1]. The UAE provides a unique population in which the UAE nationals make up 11.6% of the population while the other 88.4% are expatriates [3], many of whom have been born in the UAE or have lived there for generations. A neurocognitive disorder, is a broad term used to describe a range of symptoms associated with a decline in cognitive function and is one of the most common age-associated diseases. It is characterized by memory loss, neurological symptoms, disorientation, impaired judgement, personality changes, and loss of motor function [4]. An understanding of early decline in cognitive function and the associated predisposing risk factors is becoming more important, shifting the focus towards prevention and delayed onset of disease
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