Relationship between tooth loss and sarcopenia in suburban community-dwelling older adults in Shanghai and Tianjin of China

Both sarcopenia and loss of teeth are associated with aging. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential relationships between tooth loss and sarcopenia and its components in suburban community-dwelling older adults of Shanghai and Tianjin, China. The subjects were 1494 people over 60 years of age (40.7% men; aged 71.64 ± 5.97 years) from Chongming District of Shanghai and Hangu District of Tianjin. Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia(AWGS) criteria were used to define sarcopenia. Muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance were assessed using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer, a grip strength test, and a four-meter walk test, respectively. The subjects were divided into groups depending on self-reported loss of teeth. Our studies found no correlation between tooth loss and sarcopenia or muscle mass. However, the walking speed of female participants with at least 10 teeth lost was 0.059 m/s slower than that of participants with fewer than 10 teeth lost (p < 0.001), and grip strength was 1.577 kg lower among male participants with at least 10 teeth lost than among males with fewer than 10 teeth lost (p = 0.023). These results are consistent with the importance of good oral hygiene in preventing declines of physical performance in older adults.