Abstract
Declining gustatory function, nutrition, and oral health are important elements of health in older adults that can affect the aging process. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of age and oral status on taste discrimination in two different groups of elderly subjects living either in an Italian residential institution (TG) or in the community (CG). A total of 90 subjects were enrolled in the study (58 CG vs. 32 TG). Masticatory performance (MP) was assessed using the two-color mixing ability test. Taste function was evaluated using cotton pads soaked with six taste stimuli (salty, acid, sweet, bitter, fat and water). A positive correlation between age and missing teeth (r = 0.51, C.I. [0.33; 0.65], p < 0.0001), and a negative correlation between age and MP (r = −0.39, C.I. [−0.56; −0.20], p < 0.001) were found. Moreover, significant differences for salty taste, between TG and CG were detected (p < 0.05). Significant differences in bitter taste sensitivity between subjects wearing removable and non-removable prosthesis were also determined (p < 0.05). In addition, significant gender differences and between males in TG and CG were identified (p < 0.05). The best understanding of the relationship between MP, taste sensitivity, and nutritional factors is a necessary criterion for the development of new therapeutic strategies to address more effectively the problems associated with malnutrition in elderly subjects.
Highlights
Aging is a progressive, intrinsic, and universal process that occurs in every living being as the result of the interaction between individual’s genetics and the environment [1].The great socio-economic development of the last century, medical advances, a better lifestyle, and fertility rate decrease have led to an increase in life expectancy
In the present study, performed on 32 older adults living in an Italian residential aged care facility and 58 autonomous controls, data relating to oral health status, masticatory performance (MP), as well as taste perception were analyzed
Good oral health is essential for an adequate nutritional status, because the maintenance of a natural dentition can ensure an adequate masticatory function related to a balanced diet, that in turn affect the QoL in the elderly [28]
Summary
Intrinsic, and universal process that occurs in every living being as the result of the interaction between individual’s genetics and the environment [1].The great socio-economic development of the last century, medical advances, a better lifestyle, and fertility rate decrease have led to an increase in life expectancy. Health Organization (WHO) has calculated demographic projections showing an increase in the population over 65. These predictions will have a significant impact on the delivery of general and oral health care and treatment strategies within the geriatric patient population [2]. Poor oral health status is considered to be a strong predictor of the onset of adverse clinical outcomes, including mortality, among the community dwelling elderly [4]. The maintenance of a healthy mouth is crucial, since the worsening of oral health status leads to functional loss [5]. With regard to poor functional capacity, it has been shown that masticatory performance (MP) decreases with the loss of dental elements
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