The aim of this study is to establish the actual situation of denture use. The factors which affect denture use of the 1108 subjects, over 65 years-old and inpatients in Sapporo were investigated.
1) About 15% of the elderly people who possess dentures do not use them.
2) About 30% of the elderly people who did not have occlusion support and considered that dentures are required at least, do not use dentures.
3) Elderly people with over 20 points in mental function (NM), over 15 points in physical function (N-ADL), under 13 points in the degree of activity of daily living (ADL), and over 13.5 of BMI can use dentures .However, people with lower scores cannot use dentures.
4) As a factor for use of dentures, the mental function, the physical function, the degree of activity of daily living, and the nutrition state, were considered.
5) The factors which affect denture use were examined according to the age groups. At the age of 65-74 there was no factor which influenced strongly. At the age of 75-84 the physical function and the nutrition state, and the degree of activity of daily living. Over the age 85 the mental function.
A possibility that the factor which affects denture use with aging would change from body activity to dementia was suggested.
In order for elderly people to perform smooth and safe eating, diagnosis of the proper denture usage are required.
It was also found necessary to research further into the members of the nutrition support team.
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