Relationships between Self-assessed Masticatory Ability and Higher Level Functional Capacity among Community-dwelling Young-old Persons

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• 作者：Shingo Moriya¹ ; ^{shyomi@niph.go.jp} ; Kanchu Tei² ; Yutaka Yamazaki³ ; Hironobu Hata³ ; Masumi Muramatsu⁴ ; Yoshimasa Kitagawa³ ; Nobuo Inoue⁵ ; Hiroko Miura¹
• 关键词：autonomy ; community ; higher level functional capacity ; masticatory ability ; young-old
• 刊名：International Journal of Gerontology
• 出版年：2012
• 出版时间：March, 2012
• 年：2012
• 卷：6
• 期：1
• 页码：33-37
• 全文大小：121 K

文摘

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Summary

Introduction

Higher level functional capacity is considered a crucial component for independent living among the elderly. The aim of the present study was to show the relationships between self-assessed masticatory ability and higher level functional capacity among young-old persons living independently in the community.

Materials and methods

A total of 366 persons aged 67-74 years was enrolled in the study. Data on background factors and self-assessed masticatory ability were collected by questionnaires. Self-assessed masticatory ability was classified into one of three categories (ability to chew all kinds of food, only somewhat hard food, or only soft or pur¨¦ed food). Higher level functional capacity was measured using the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index, which consists of three sublevels: instrumental self-maintenance, intellectual activity, and social role.

Results

Significant differences were found in the total score (13-point scale), intellectual activity (4-point scale), and social role (4-point scale) among the three groups of self-assessed masticatory ability. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that severely impaired masticatory ability (the ability to chew only soft and pur¨¦ed food) was significantly related to a loss of three points or more for the total score, and a loss of one point or more for intellectual activity and social role after adjustment for a number of confounding variables.

Conclusion

Self-assessed masticatory ability is significantly and independently related to higher level functional capacity, especially intellectual activity and social role, among young-old persons living independently in the community. It is worthwhile noting masticatory ability when clinicians investigate factors associated with disability in independent living.