6533b85efe1ef96bd12bf510

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Oral health and reduction in respiratory capacity in a cohort of community-dwelling elderly people: a population-based 5-year follow-up study.

Piia HämäläinenMarja KeskinenJukka H. MeurmanHarri Suominen

subject

Malemedicine.medical_specialtyGingival and periodontal pocketOral HealthOral healthSex FactorsInternal medicineForced Expiratory VolumeMedicineElderly peopleHumansRisk factorProspective cohort studyPeriodontitisGeneral DentistryGeriatric AssessmentRespiratory capacityAgedAged 80 and overbusiness.industryCohortPhysical therapyFemaleAnaerobic bacteriaGeriatrics and GerontologyMouth EdentulousbusinessEpidemiologic Methods

description

Objectives:  Several anaerobic bacteria originating in periodontal pockets have been isolated from infected lungs and pharyngeal microflora. Increased bacterial load in lungs is known to be a risk factor for decline in forced expiratory volume during the first second. The aim was to evaluate both cross-sectionally and longitudinally the association between oral health status and forced expiratory volume during the first second (FEV1) in older residents of the city of Jyvaskyla, Finland. Design:  Cross-sectional and prospective cohort study over a 5-year follow-up. Setting:  Research laboratory of the University of Jyvaskyla. Participants:  In 1990 dental status and FEV1 were examined in 203 80-year-old people, of whom 88 survivors were retested 5 years later. Main outcome measures:  Primary: dental status and FEV1. Secondary: existence of pulmonary diseases, height, handgrip strength, smoking, and length of education. Results:  Participants were regrouped into three categories according to their baseline oral health status. At baseline, men with complete prostheses had the lowest FEV1. Five years later the greatest reduction in FEV1 was seen in subjects with poor periodontal status or complete prostheses (−9.4%) while those with healthy periodontal status showed no reduction in FEV1 values (+1.0%, p = 0.006). Conclusions:  Periodontal infections and complete prostheses may be reservoirs for pathogens which may be harmful and partly explain the observed reduction in FEV1 during ageing.

10.1111/j.1741-2358.2004.00029.xhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15603280