A Cross-Sectional Study on the Relationship between Oral Function and Sarcopenia in Japanese Patients with Regular Dental Maintenance

We aimed to clarify the relationship between oral function assessments regarding oral hypofunction and sarcopenia in patients who had completed treatment for organic dental problems, including oral pain, removable denture fit, and tooth loss. This cross-sectional study included 269 patients aged ≥65 years (mean age 74.9 ± 6.50 years, 133 men, 136 women) who visited a dental clinic between June 2019 and March 2021. We evaluated oral function and sarcopenia and analyzed their relationship using the Jonckheere–Terpstra test, Mantel–Haenszel trend test, and Poisson regression analysis. We diagnosed 132 (49.07%) patients with oral hypofunction, 30 (11.2%) with sarcopenia, and 24 (8.9%) with severe sarcopenia. The number of oral hypofunction items (prevalence rate ratio [PRR] = 1.39, 95%Wald = 0.11 to 0.56) was significantly associated with sarcopenia. For each of the items, tongue-lip motor function [ta] (PRR = 0.80, 95%Wald = −0.44 to −0.02)] [ka] (PRR = 0.76, 95%Wald = −0.53 to −0.03) and tongue pressure (PRR = 0.95, 95%Wald = −0.09 to −0.02) showed a significant association with sarcopenia. However, no significant association was found for other variables. Dentists should not only treat organic dental problems but also consider the relationship between oral function and sarcopenia.