Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of oral problems and to analyze the association among oral problems, sarcopenia and undernutrition in elderly patients.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 108 patients (mean age = 80.4±6.7 years, 55 men), who were consecutively hospitalized in a rehabilitation hospital. Oral status was assessed using the Revised Oral Assessment Guide (ROAG). Sarcopenia was assessed using parameters such as hand grip strength, walking speed, body mass index and calf circumference. Nutritional status was evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF). Correlation analysis and univariate or multivariate analysis were performed.
Results: Oral problems were found 85% of the patients. Prevalence of sarcopenia was 43.5%. Undernutrition was found 35.5% of patients. Multivariate analysis showed that there were significant correlations of ROAG with age, presence of sarcopenia, MNA-SF score and presence of oral food intake.
Conclusions: Poor oral status is widely prevailed and is associated with sarcopenia and undernutrition in elderly patients.
