Abstract
A survey by questionnaire method was conducted to investigate the current status of frailty (including oral frailty) among elderly patients (aged 75 to 85 years) visiting our clinic.
The survey took a form of either individual interview or handed-out questionnaires, and the questionnaires included information on means of transportation, number of remaining teeth, understanding of the progress of periodontal disease, oral cognition, weight, walking speed, difficulty opening a can, eating, conversation, oral function, social activities, desire for oral function tests and oral function training, and future concerns.
The subjects were divided into two groups according to the number of remaining teeth; A group of patients with 20 teeth or more and another group with fewer than 20 teeth were compared with one another.
The number of remaining teeth and the progression of periodontal disease were understood by 16% and 21% of the respondents, respectively. In terms of physical fitness, 60% of the subjects felt that their walking speed was slow. In the oral cavity, 55% of the subjects had dry mouths, 38% bit their lips, tongue, and cheeks, and 35% swallowed or aspirated, suggesting the presence of frailty.
Comparing the group with 20 or more teeth and that with fewer than 20 teeth, the former had higher percentages in the following items: driving by themselves, oral cognition, no weight change, can eat anything, no dry mouth, no aspiration, and doing some social activities. On the other hand, the group with fewer than 20 teeth were more likely to bite their tongues, cheeks, and lips, and to desire an oral function test and to be interested in training. There was little difference in walking speed, difficulty in opening the lid, time required for eating, ability to speak as desired, and spilling food. The most important concern was how to secure transportation to the clinic.
