Abstract
Recently, the relationship between stomatognathic functions and general health in the elderly has been observed with keen interst. Especially, there are some reports on the imfluence of the occlusal-masticatory function on the brain function. In order to verify the relationship between the masticatory function and the general function of the whole body, 36 dependent elderly persons in a geriatric hospital were investigated. The “Denture Score” was obtained by evaluating denture retention, stability, occlusion and satisfaction. Moreover all the subjects were divided into two groups, the low Denture Score group and the high Denture Score group.The degree of dementia was judged by Hasegawa's Dementia Rating Scale. The “Autonomy Score” was evaluated by using the Criteria of Bed-Ridden Elderly issued by the Ministry of Welfare in Japan. The Voluntary maximal clenching force was measured using the Prescale system®. The “Chewing Score” indicating the masticatory ability was calculated by a food intake questionnaire developed by the authors. The Elderly Nursing Care Plan (MDS/RAPs) developed by the national project in the United States in 1990 was used in this investigation.
The results obtained are as foollows.
The subjects judged to be dementia accounted for 62.4% of all the subjects.
The subjects judged to be pre-bedridden elderly accounted for 38.7% and to be bed-ridden accounted for 61.3% of all the subjects.
In the low Denture Score group, 75% of the subjects were judged to be dementia. On the other hand, in the high Denture Score group, 45% of the subjects were judged to be dementia.
There was a significant correlation between the “Denture Score” and “Autonomy Score” (p<0.01). There was also a significant correlation between the “Denture Score” and the “Voluntary Maximal Clenching Force” (p<0.05). There was also a significant correlation between the “Denture Score” and the “Chewing Score” (p<0.05).
In MDS/RAPs, “Examination of dementia and cognitive loss”, “Examination of psychological well-being”, “Examination of mood state”, “Examination of dental care” and “pressure ulcers” were selected as Resident Assessment Protocols (RAPs).
The results of this study suggest that a close relationship exsts between the masticatory function and some measures of physical and mental activity in this group of elderly subjects.
