Practical Geriatrics ›› 2021, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (10): 1054-1057.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1003-9198.2021.10.014

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Correlation between oral health and frailty in rural empty nesters of Shanxi province

WANG Zhi-yan, YANG Yu-lin, CHEN Ling, GAO Huan-ling   

  1. WANG Zhi-yan, YANG Yu-lin, CHEN Ling. Graduate School, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China;
    GAO Huan-ling. Fenyang College of Shanxi Medical University, Lyuliang 032200, China
  • Received:2020-10-15 Online:2021-10-20 Published:2021-10-13

Abstract: Objective To investigate the correlation between oral health and frailty in the rural empty nesters of Shanxi province. Methods A total of 483 empty nesters were conveniently selected from Pingyao county of Shanxi province.The questionnaire survey was carried out by using the Fried Phenotype, self-designed general situation questionnaire and Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Results Among the 483 rural empty nesters, the mean score of GOHAI was 38.12±15.23 and 206 cases (42.7%) were assessed as frailty.The scores in all dimensions and total score of GOHAI in the elderly with frailty were significantly lower than those in the elderly without frailty (P<0.01). Spearman correlation analysis showed that the total score and score of each dimension of GOHAI were negatively correlated with the score of Fried Phenotype (P<0.01). Conclusions The oral health of the rural empty nesters is negatively correlated with frailty. Medical staff should pay more attention to the frailty assessment of the elderly with poor oral health,and early intervention should be taken as soon as possible, so as to improve the quality of life in the rural empty nesters.

Key words: county, empty nester, frailty, oral health

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