The Influence of Age and Oral Health on Taste Perception in Older Adults: A Case-Control Study

Declining gustatory function, nutrition, and oral health are important elements of health in older adults that can affect the aging process. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of age and oral status on taste discrimination in two different groups of elderly subjects living either in an Italian residential institution (TG) or in the community (CG). A total of 90 subjects were enrolled in the study (58 CG vs. 32 TG). Masticatory performance (MP) was assessed using the two-color mixing ability test. Taste function was evaluated using cotton pads soaked with six taste stimuli (salty, acid, sweet, bitter, fat and water). A positive correlation between age and missing teeth (r = 0.51, C.I. [0.33; 0.65], p < 0.0001), and a negative correlation between age and MP (r = −0.39, C.I. [−0.56; −0.20], p < 0.001) were found. Moreover, significant differences for salty taste, between TG and CG were detected (p < 0.05). Significant differences in bitter taste sensitivity between subjects wearing removable and non-removable prosthesis were also determined (p < 0.05). In addition, significant gender differences and between males in TG and CG were identified (p < 0.05). The best understanding of the relationship between MP, taste sensitivity, and nutritional factors is a necessary criterion for the development of new therapeutic strategies to address more effectively the problems associated with malnutrition in elderly subjects.

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Quantitative Evaluation of Masticatory Performance with Two-Color Mixing Ability Test: Development of a New Digital Method

The International Journal of Prosthodontics ◽

10.11607/ijp.6568 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 224-228 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yaman Yousof ◽

Nosizana Salleh ◽

Farazila Yusof

Keyword(s):

Quantitative Evaluation ◽

Test Development ◽

Digital Method ◽

Masticatory Performance ◽

Ability Test ◽

Mixing Ability ◽

Color Mixing

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Influential Factors of Masticatory Performance in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18084286 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (8) ◽

pp. 4286

Author(s):

Hee-Eun Kim

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Dynamic Stiffness ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Masticatory Performance ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Ability Test ◽

Mixing Ability

While appropriate nutrient intake is important for older adults, various oral problems cause decreased masticatory function. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the factors associated with decreased masticatory performance in older adults. Oral examinations were performed on 80 participants (mean age: 75.10 ± 5.64 years) to determine the number of functional tooth units (FTUs). Symptoms of periodontal and temporomandibular diseases were evaluated via a questionnaire. The tone, elasticity, and dynamic stiffness of the masseter muscle were measured using the Myoton® PRO device. The mixing ability test was used to assess the masticatory performance, and the mixing ability index (MAI) was calculated. The analysis of covariance test was performed to adjust for confounding factors, and multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors affecting MAI. A lower MAI was significantly associated with higher tone (p = 0.006) and lower elasticity (p = 0.013). The number of FTUs (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.724, p = 0.029), tone (adjusted OR = 1.215, p = 0.016), and elasticity (adjusted OR = 4.789, p = 0.038) were independently associated with the MAI. Muscle function training and prosthetic treatments may help increase masticatory performance in older adults, which would improve overall health.

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Influential Factors of Masticatory Performance in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

10.20944/preprints202104.0009.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hee-Eun Kim

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Dynamic Stiffness ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Masticatory Performance ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Ability Test ◽

Mixing Ability

While appropriate nutrient intake is important for older adults, various oral problems cause de-creased masticatory function. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the factors associated with decreased masticatory performance in older adults. Oral examinations were performed on 80 participants (mean age: 75.10 ± 5.64 years) to determine the number of functional tooth units (FTUs). Symptoms of periodontal and temporomandibular diseases were evaluated via a ques-tionnaire. The tone, elasticity, and dynamic stiffness of the masseter muscle were measured using the Myoton® PRO device. The mixing ability test was used to assess the masticatory performance and the mixing ability index (MAI) was calculated. The analysis of covariance test was performed to adjust for confounding factors and multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors affecting MAI. A lower MAI was significantly associated with higher tone (p = 0.006) and lower elasticity (p = 0.013). The number of FTUs (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.724, p = 0.029), tone (adjusted OR = 1.215, p = 0.016), and elasticity (adjusted OR = 4.789, p = 0.038) were independently associated with the MAI. Muscle function training and prosthetic treatments may help increase masticatory performance in older adults, which will improve overall health.

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A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study on Oral Health and Nutritional Status of Institutionalized Older Adults: A Focus on Sarcopenia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182413232 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (24) ◽

pp. 13232

Author(s):

Luca Aquilanti ◽

Sonila Alia ◽

Sofia Pugnaloni ◽

Lorenzo Scalise ◽

Arianna Vignini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Oral Health ◽

Food Selection ◽

Mini Nutritional Assessment ◽

Care Facility ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Residential Aged Care ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Ability Test

The global population aged over 60 will double by 2050. This pilot cross-sectional study aims at evaluating nutritional and oral health status and the prevalence of sarcopenia in older adults living in an Italian residential aged care facility. Thirty-two adults aged ≥ 65 years were included. Individual sociodemographic data and nutritional and oral health data were collected. For sarcopenia diagnosis, muscle mass, physical performance, muscle strength and anthropometric parameters were recorded. Participants underwent a nutritional screening and a dental examination. Mini Nutritional Assessment and masticatory mixing ability test were performed. The results showed that men recorded a hand strength significantly higher than that of women, 25.5 ± 7.2 Kg vs. 12.8 ± 5.9 Kg (p < 0.01), respectively. Gait speed test showed that only 20.8% of the participants had a speed of more than 0.8 m/s. A strong negative correlation between masticatory performance and the number of missing teeth was detected (r = −0.84, 95% C.I. [−0.92; −0.69], p < 0.01). Overall, a high percentage of institutionalized older adults were diagnosed as being sarcopenic. Poor oral health in older adults is a major general health problem as it may restrict both food selection and nutrient intake, representing a risk factor for sarcopenia, although longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this relationship.

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Evaluation of the efficacy of hearing aids in older adults: a multiparametric longitudinal study protocol

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-021-02033-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Domenico Cuda ◽

Sara Ghiselli ◽

Alessandra Murri

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Speech Perception ◽

Hearing Aids ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Elderly Subjects ◽

Single Subject ◽

Measurement Tools ◽

First Time

Abstract Background Prevalence of hearing loss increases with age. Its estimated prevalence is 40–50 % in people over 75 years of age. Recent studies agree that declinein hearing threshold contribute to deterioration in sociality, sensitivity, cognition, and quality of life for elderly subjects. The aim of the study presented in this paper is to verify whether or not rehabilitation using first time applied Hearing Aids (HA) in a cohort of old people with hearing impairment improves both speech perception in a noisy environment over time and the overall health-related quality of life. Methods The monocentric, prospective, repeated measurements, single-subject, clinical observational study is to recruit 100 older adults, first-time HA recipients (≥ 65 years).The evaluation protocol is designed to analyze changes in specific measurement tools a year after the first HA usage in comparison with the evaluation before HA fitting. Evaluations will consist of multiparametric details collected through self-report questionnaires completed by the recipients and a series of commonly used audiometric measures and geriatric assessment tools. The primary indicator of changes in speech perception in noise to be used is the Italian version of Oldenburg Satz (OLSA) test whereas the indicator of changes in overall quality of life will be the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) and Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE) questionnaires. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) will help in screening the cognitive state of the subjects. Discussion The protocol is designed to make use of measurement tools that have already been applied to the hearing-impaired population in order to compare the effects of HA rehabilitation in the older adults immediately before first HA usage (Pre) and after 1 year of experience (Post). This broad approach will lead to a greater understanding of how useful hearing influences the quality of life in older individuals, and therefore improves potentials for healthy aging. The data is to be analyzed by using an intrasubject endpoint comparison. Outcomes will be described and analyzed in detail. Trial registration This research was retrospectively registered underno. NCT04333043at ClinicalTrials.gov (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/) on the 26 March 2020. This research has been registered with the Ethics Committee of the Area Vasta Emilia Nord under number 104, date of approval 17/07/2017.

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Orosensory Perception of Fat/Sweet Stimuli and Appetite-Regulating Peptides before and after Sleeve Gastrectomy or Gastric Bypass in Adult Women with Obesity

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13030878 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 878

Author(s):

Arnaud Bernard ◽

Johanne Le Beyec-Le Bihan ◽

Loredana Radoi ◽

Muriel Coupaye ◽

Ouidad Sami ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bariatric Surgery ◽

Gastric Bypass ◽

Sleeve Gastrectomy ◽

Gut Hormones ◽

Sweet Taste ◽

Taste Perception ◽

Taste Sensitivity ◽

Adult Women ◽

Before And After ◽

The Impact

The aim of this study was to explore the impact of bariatric surgery on fat and sweet taste perceptions and to determine the possible correlations with gut appetite-regulating peptides and subjective food sensations. Women suffering from severe obesity (BMI > 35 kg/m2) were studied 2 weeks before and 6 months after a vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG, n = 32) or a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB, n = 12). Linoleic acid (LA) and sucrose perception thresholds were determined using the three-alternative forced-choice procedure, gut hormones were assayed before and after a test meal and subjective changes in oral food sensations were self-reported using a standardized questionnaire. Despite a global positive effect of both surgeries on the reported gustatory sensations, a change in the taste sensitivity was only found after RYGB for LA. However, the fat and sweet taste perceptions were not homogenous between patients who underwent the same surgery procedure, suggesting the existence of two subgroups: patients with and without taste improvement. These gustatory changes were not correlated to the surgery-mediated modifications of the main gut appetite-regulating hormones. Collectively these data highlight the complexity of relationships between bariatric surgery and taste sensitivity and suggest that VSG and RYGB might impact the fatty taste perception differently.

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Social and Behavioral Factors, Oral Health, and Dental Care Utilization

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2899 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 799-800

Author(s):

Bei Wu ◽

Stephen Shuman ◽

Elisa Ghezzi

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Oral Health ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Dental Care ◽

Care Utilization ◽

Behavioral Factors ◽

Dental Care Utilization ◽

The Impact ◽

The U.S

Abstract Oral health status and dental care utilization is strongly associated with social and behavioral factors and health outcomes. The five papers in this symposium address how several of these factors affect oral health and dental care among diverse groups of older adults. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, the first paper examined the impact of early childhood disadvantages on oral health in later life among adults age 51 and above in the U.S. The second paper used large-scale epidemiological data that addressed the relationship between acculturation and subsequent oral health problems. It also tested the moderating role of neighborhood disorder in such a relationship among older Chinese Americans. The third paper demonstrated the importance of examining different pathways among foreign-born and native-born Chinese older adults with regard to offspring’s support on their oral health outcomes. While increasing evidence shows that cognitive function is associated with oral health, limited studies have been conducted to examine the impact of cognitive impairment, e.g., Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and related dementias (RD), on dental care utilization and costs in older adults. The fourth paper aimed to address this knowledge gap. Results showed that AD and RD had different impacts on different types of dental care utilization and costs. The fifth paper further displayed that individuals with cognitive impairment face a significant challenge in handling dental-related medications. This symposium provides policy and clinical implications on improving oral health and dental care utilization among older adults in the U.S. Oral Health Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

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