The relationship between the Fall Risk Index-21(FRI-21) and occlusal force in the frail elderly

Abstract

[Objective] The relationship between occlusal force and fall risk was studied in order to verify the usefulness of occlusal force measurement for fall risk assessment. [Method] Thirty-four frail elderly persons (10 men and 24 women) receiving daycare service participated in the study. The mean age was 83.0±5.7 years. The occlusal force of the participants was measured using a commercial Occlusal Force-Meter GM 10. Fall risk was assessed by using the Fall Risk Index-21 (FRI-21). As fall-related factors, leg strength, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG index), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were assessed. Items independently associated with fall risks were extracted in stepwise multiple regression analysis. [Results] VAS and occlusal force were found to be independently associatedwithFRI-21. [Conclusion] The results suggest that occlusal force is a useful assessment factor for fall risk in the frail elderly.