Association between Oral Health related Quality of Life and Nutritional Status in Geriatric Patients Reporting to Out Patients Department of Prosthodontics for Prosthetic Rehabilitation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52206/jsmc.2026.16.2.1519Abstract
Background: Oral health plays a crucial role in maintaining adequate nutrition, particularly among the geriatric population, where physiological, functional, and socioeconomic factors increase vulnerability to both poor oral health and malnutrition. Impaired oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) may significantly influence dietary intake and overall well-being in older adults.
Objective: To assess the association between oral health-related quality of life and nutritional status among geriatric patients presenting to the outpatient department of prosthodontics.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of six months (January–June 2024) at Saidu College of Dentistry, Swat, Pakistan. A total of 205 patients aged ≥60 years were enrolled using predefined inclusion criteria. OHRQoL was assessed using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), while nutritional status was evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool. Data were analyzed using R software version 4.3.3. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine associations between variables, with a p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean age of participants was 71.8 ± 8.56 years, with 53.17% males. A large proportion (67.8%) exhibited poor OHRQoL. Nutritional assessment revealed that 41.95% were at risk of malnutrition and 36.59% were malnourished. Malnutrition was significantly more prevalent among participants with poor OHRQoL. Multivariable analysis showed that poor OHRQoL was significantly associated with malnutrition (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.31–0.99; p = 0.035). Age ≤70 years was independently associated with reduced odds of malnutrition (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.28–0.91; p = 0.03).
Conclusion: Poor oral health-related quality of life is strongly associated with compromised nutritional status among geriatric patients. These findings highlight the need for integrated oral health and nutritional interventions to improve overall health outcomes in the elderly population.
Keywords: Geriatrics, GOHAI, Mini Nutritional Assessment, Nutritional Status, OHRQoL.
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