Study On The Relationship Between Oral Health-related Quality Of Life And Frailty Of The Elderly In Nursing Homes

Objective:To understand the status of oral health related quality of life and frailty of the elderly in nursing homes,analyze the influencing factors,and explore the relationship between the two,so as to provide a theoretical basis for future intervention research on oral heath and frailty of the elderly in nursing homes.Methods:This study,by means of convenience sampling,conducted a cross-sectional survey from May 2021 to October 2021 among 12 elderly institutions in Mianyang city that met inclusion criteria.Tools included a Chinese version of the General information questionnaire,the FRAIL-NH scale,the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index(GOHAI)and Patient Health Questionnaire-9(PHQ-9).Epidata3.1 software was used to establish the database.SPSS23.0 was used to conduct statistical analysis on the data.The measurement data with normal distribution were represented by mean standard deviation,the measurement data with non-normal distribution were represented by median(interquartile range),and the counting data were represented by frequency composition ratio.Single factor analysis(t test,ANOVA,Mann-Whitney U test and Welch’s ANOVA test)and multiple factor analysis(binary Logistic regression analysis and multiple linear regression analysis)were used to analyze the influencing factors of oral health-related quality of life and frailty of the elderly in pension institutions.Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between oral health-related quality of life and frailty of the elderly in pension institutions.Results:1 In 328 older adults,frailty score was 2.5(1.0,4.0),206 cases of frailty occurred and 122 cases of non-frailty,which means the prevalence of frailty was 62.8%.2 The average score of oral health-related quality of life of the elderly in nursing institutions was(50.68±7.17),which was in the middle level.The average score of each dimension were physiological function(15.57±3.76),pain and discomfort(12.48±2.52),psychological and social function(22.63±2.62).Among 328 older adults,135(41.2%)had low oral health-related quality of life,122(37.2%)had medium oral health-related quality of life,and 71(21.6%)had high oral health-related quality of life.3 Single factor analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in the prevalence of frailty among the elderly by gender,age,BMI,length of residence,education level,sleep quality,number of teeth,dry mouth symptoms and oral health-related quality of life.The results of binary Logistic regression analysis showed that gender,BMI,length of residence,sleep quality,dry mouth symptoms and oral health related quality of life were the influencing factors of frailty(P<0.05).4 Single factor analysis showed that there was significant difference in oral health-related quality of life scores among the elderly with different age,marital status,BMI,multiple diseases,sleep quality,number of teeth,dental visits,number of teeth brushing,symptoms of dry mouth and frailty(P<0.05).Results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that multiple diseases,sleep quality,number of teeth,dental visits and frailty were associated with oral health-related quality of life(P<0.05).5 Spearman correlation analysis showed that oral health-related quality of life was negatively correlated with frailty(r=-0.476,P<0.05),and physiological function was the most correlated with frailty.Conclusion:1 The prevalence of frailty among the elderly in nursing institutions was 62.8%,and the frailty was serious.Gender,BMI,length of residence,sleep quality,symptoms of dry mouth and oral health-related quality of life were the influencing factors of frailty.Medical staff in nursing institutions should strengthen the management of the frailty of the elderly,carry out regular assessment,and take appropriate measures to reduce the prevalence of frailty of the elderly.2 The score of oral health-related quality of life of the elderly in nursing institutions was(50.68±7.17),which was in the middle level.Multiple diseases,sleep quality,number of teeth,dental visits and frailty are influential factors of oral health-related quality of life.Medical staff in nursing institutions should pay attention to the oral-health of the elderly,timely take targeted intervention measures to improve the oral health-related quality of life of the elderly.3 The oral health-related quality of life of the elderly in old-age care institutions was negatively correlated with frailty,and the poorer the oral health-related quality of life in the elderly,the higher the frailty score and the higher the degree of frailty.Therefore,relevant departments can formulate corresponding policies to include frailty and oral health assessment projects in institutional assessment projects,screen out the frailty high-risk groups as soon as possible,prevent the occurrence and development of frailty by improving the oral health status of the elderly,improve the quality of life of the elderly,and promote healthy aging.