ASSOCIATION BETWEEN TOOTH LOSS AND GERIATRIC SYNDROMES IN OLDER ADULTS FROM A RURAL AREA IN EASTERN CHINA

Sep 29, 2026

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Investigation aimed to clarify links between tooth loss severity, denture status, and geriatric syndromes among older adults in rural eastern China. In 2019, 1094 participants were enrolled, and 690 were followed up in 2023. Logistic regression assessed baseline tooth loss and outcomes at the fourth-year follow-up, showing higher odds of sarcopenia, malnutrition risk, and frailty with more severe tooth loss affecting daily life. Fewer than 10 teeth also increased odds for sarcopenia, malnutrition risk, frailty, and risk of falls. Tooth loss without dentures showed especially elevated geriatric syndrome risks, while dentures may partially mitigate but not fully close the gap. Screening and oral health intervention are therefore important for preventing geriatric syndromes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Study Objective

Methods and Follow-up

Statistical Analysis

Key Findings

Tooth Loss Severity and Syndromes

Denture Status and Risk

Implications for Oral Health Screening

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 713 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.2430 ASSOCIATION BETWEEN TOOTH LOSS AND GERIATRIC SYNDROMES IN OLDER ADULTS FROM A RURAL AREA IN EASTERN CHINA Jing Chen1, Caihong He2, and Qin Zhang1, 1. The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China (People’s Republic), 2. The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China (People’s Republic) We aimed to explore the associations between tooth loss, denture status, and geriatric syndromes.In 2019, 1094 older adults from a rural area in eastern China were enrolled and a sub-sample of the participants (N = 690) were followed up in 2023. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to explore the association between tooth loss severity at baseline and geriatric syndromes at fourth year follow-up. The multivariable models showed that compared to those without tooth loss or with tooth loss not affecting daily life, those having tooth loss affecting daily life at baseline was associated with a 1.80-fold higher odds of sarcopenia (95% CI: 1.02 to 3.21) and a 2.31-fold higher odds of malnutrition risk (95% CI: 1.44 to 3.69) at the fourth year. Compared to those with 21 or more teeth, participants with fewer than 10 teeth had 1.87-fold odds for sarcopenia (95% CI: 1.07 to 3.26), 2.99-fold for malnutrition risk (95% CI: 1.93 to 4.62), and 1.68-fold for frailty ( 95% CI: 1.10 to 2.56) . Older adults with tooth loss who did not have dentures exhibited a significantly higher risk of sarcopenia, malnutrition risk, frailty, 714 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 and falls, more number of geriatric syndromes.Our findings suggest that higher severity level of tooth loss at baseline were associated with higher risk of geriatric syndromes at fourth year in older adults. Dentures might mitigate this risk but they do not fully bridge the gap compared to retaining natural teeth. Screening and intervening oral health is important for the prevention of geriatric syndromes in older adults.

FAQs

What was the study designed to examine?

The study examined associations between tooth loss severity, denture status, and geriatric syndromes in older adults living in rural areas of eastern China.

How were the participants followed and analyzed?

Older adults were enrolled in 2019 and a sub-sample was followed up in 2023. Logistic regression evaluated how baseline tooth loss related to geriatric syndromes at the fourth-year follow-up.

What were the main results regarding tooth loss and geriatric syndromes?

More severe tooth loss affecting daily life at baseline was associated with higher odds of sarcopenia and malnutrition risk at the fourth year. Having fewer than 10 teeth also increased odds for sarcopenia, malnutrition risk, and frailty, and tooth loss without dentures carried higher risks including falls.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Damian