Oral (Hypo-)Function, General Function and Nutritional Status in Elderly Hospitalized Patients

Malnutrition is highly prevalent among the elderly, many authors reported on the relationship between oral health and nutrition. However the the relationship between the dental state and the nutritional status was always limited to anatomical criteria such as number of teeth and the presence of prosthetic reconstructions.

The oral function is classified into 4 stages healthy state, oral frailty, oral hypofunction and oral dysfunction. The classification into the different stages result from an examination of 7 parameters: the oral hygiene, the oral dryness, the occlusal force, the tongue-lip motor function, the tongue pressure, the chewing function and the swallowing function.

This study aims to correlate the oral function with the nutritional status of non-acute hospitalized elders. And to further investigate the correlation between the different parameters defining the oral function and the oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) as measured by theGeneral Oral Health Assessment Index.

A total 60 participants will be recruited in the University Hospital of Geneva, Loëx rehabilitation center. The investigators will see the patient for 2 visits after informed consent. The first visit will be 45 minutes long and will include a dental examination and an examination of the oral hygiene, the oral dryness, the tongue lip motor function, the tongue pressure, the occlusal force and the swallowing function. Diagnosis for nutrition according to the Glim criteria will be done. Furthermore, the participants will be asked to fill an oral health quality of life questionnaire comprising 12 questions.

Oral hypo function will be defined as a state when 3 or more signs were present from the 7 parameters examined.

Linear multiple regression analysis is used to examine the relationship between the nutritional status and oral function. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient will be used to correlate the oral function score and oral health related quality of life.

Inclusion criteria

• • Aged 70 years or over

• Hospitalized in Geneva University Hospitals, in rehabilitation or in long term care (Loëx)
• Able to follow simple instructions and perform the tests
• Understand French and complete or answer the questionnaire
• Give written informed consent
• Consent can be obtained from their next of kin or legal representative if necessary
• Have been admitted into the hospital no longer 15 days before inclusion

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with tube/intravenous feeding
• Poorly-controlled diabetes (Liu et al., 2015)
• Patients with gastro-intestinal diseases or symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation) affecting oral intake
• If the patient is taking an antimicrobial treatment at this time.