2017 Volume 32 Issue 3 Pages 349-356
The association of the numbers of teeth present and missing teeth with medical visit due to aspiration pneumonia in older people was analyzed using the Receipt and Health Checkup Information Database in Japan. Data of dental care claims of patients aged 65 or older diagnosed with chronic periodontitis（n＝1,662,158）or missing teeth（n＝356,662）in April 2013 were combined with those of medical care claims diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia including outpatient care, inpatient care and pharmacy. Numbers of teeth present and missing teeth were calculated using a dental formula in the claims of chronic periodontitis and missing teeth, respectively, and categorized into three groups each. Percentages of subjects treated for aspiration pneumonia in those having 20-32, 10-19 and 1-9 teeth were 0.08，0.14 and 0.25％, respectively. Percentages of subjects treated for aspiration pneumonia in those having 1-14, 15-27 and 28-32 missing teeth were 0.09, 0.18 and 0.43％, respectively. Logistic regression models using treatment of aspiration pneumonia as an outcome variable and adjusting for age and sex showed that the odds ratios for those having 10-19 teeth and 1-9 teeth（reference：20-32 teeth）were 1.20 and 1.53, respectively, showing a statistically significant difference. Logistic regression models using treatment of aspiration pneumonia as an outcome variable and adjusting for age and sex showed that the odds ratios for those having 15-27 missing teeth and 28-32 missing teeth（reference：1-14 missing teeth）were 1.67 and 3.14, respectively, showing a statistically significant difference. In conclusion, among subjects visiting dentists due to chronic periodontitis or missing teeth, older people having fewer teeth present and more missing teeth were more likely to visit medical doctors due to aspiration pneumonia.
