Masticatory function in nursing home residents: Correlation with the nutritional status and oral health-related quality of life

Background Masticatory function of institutionalised elders and its relationship with nutrition and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) are unknown. Objectives This multicentre cross-sectional study evaluated the influence of the presence of teeth and dentures on masticatory function (masticatory performance and swallowing threshold) in institutionalised elders. Correlation of masticatory function with nutrition and OHRQoL was also verified. Methods Older adults (n = 344; mean age (SD) = 77.70 (9.10)), selected from nursing homes in two Brazilian cities, were classified as edentulous with or without complete dentures (CDs), and partially dentate with or without prosthesis. Masticatory performance was assessed using a two-colour chewing gum. Swallowing threshold was set by the number of chewing cycles performed until swallowing 3.7 g of peanuts. Nutrition was screened by Mini-Nutritional Assessment-Short Form and body composition. OHRQoL was evaluated through Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). The Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman's correlation were used (alpha = 0.05).Results:Edentulous elders without CDs had lower masticatory performance than those with CDs and partially dentate with or without prosthesis (P < .05). Swallowing threshold of edentulous elders with CDs and partially dentate with prosthesis was greater than edentulous elders without CDs and partially dentate without prosthesis (P < .05). Masticatory function was not correlated with nutrition. Masticatory performance was correlated (P < .05) with GOHAI (r(2) = -.154) and swallowing threshold with GOHAI (r(2) = .162) and OHIP-14 (r(2) = -.146). Conclusion The absence of teeth and dentures negatively affected the masticatory function. Although the masticatory function was not correlated with institutionalised elders' nutrition, their OHRQoL was negatively impacted.