Descriptive Epidemiology of Oral Function in Middle-Aged and Older Japanese Individuals.

Abstract

Objective: To describe age-group differences in oral function in middle-aged and older Japanese adults.

Background: To facilitate oral function management, it is essential research spanning a wider age range.

Materials and methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of data in 2023 from two distinct populations. The Otassha Study included community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 65 years in Tokyo. The second sample consisted of middle-aged workers aged ≥ 40 years employed at municipal offices in Fukuoka. Survey items included tongue coating index, mucosal wetness, occlusal force, oral diadochokinesis, tongue pressure, masticatory function, swallowing function and the prevalence of oral hypofunction. Trend tests and binary logistic regression analysis were conducted. The dependent variable was the presence of oral hypofunction, and the independent variable was the age group.

Results: Our analysis included 645 participants (275 men and 370 women, aged 40-89 years). The prevalence of oral hypofunction and low oral function in six elements, except mucosal wetness, showed a significant linear association by age group. The prevalence of oral hypofunction was higher in the 80s (adjusted odds ratio: 3.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.4-8.3) than in the reference category (60s).

Conclusion: Expanding middle-aged participant data and conducting longitudinal studies are essential for understanding age-related changes in oral function. These efforts will help inform effective strategies to address oral functional decline.