Associations between self-assessed masticatory disability and health of community-residing elderly people

Objective: To examine the relationship between the self-assessed masticator y disability and the health of community-residing older people. Methods: Of 1473 randomly selected people aged 65 years and older Living in Settsu, Os aka Prefecture, in October 1992, data on general health status, history of health management, psychosocial conditions, and dental conditions were obta ined from 1405 people by interviews made during home visits. Follow-up for 54 months was completed for 1306 subjects (93.0%; 1072 living, 234 deceased ). Results: Being over 75 years of age, having poor general health and poor dental status, not using dental health checks, not using general health ch ecks, not participating in social activities, not feeling that life is wort h living (no "ikigai"), and feeling anxious about the future were univariat ely and significantly associated with self-assessed masticatory disability. Logistic regression analyses indicated that being older than 75 years, hav ing poor general health and poor dental status, not using dental health che cks, and not participating in social activities were independently associat ed with self-assessed masticatory disability. The Cox proportional hazards model showed that being male, over 75 years of age, and in poor general hea lth, as well as not using general health checks, and not participating in s ocial activities were independently associated with mortality. Self-assesse d masticatory disability was univariately and significantly related to mort ality, but by itself was not a significant risk factor for mortality, becau se of the potential influence of other variables. Conclusions: Certain heal th and psychosocial factors are closely associated with self-assessed masti catory disability among older people. Further investigations are needed to determine whether masticatory disability is a significant risk factor for m ortality.