IADR Abstract Archives
Retrospective Analysis of Oral Health Status of Swiss Nursing Home Residents
Objectives: This study aimed to present the oral health status of Swiss nursing home residents with relation to their cognitive impairment.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of residents of long-term care (LTC) facilities in Switzerland was performed using the Swiss version of RAI-MDS 2.0 (resident assessment instrument minimum data set) tool. Data records of residents who received at least three consecutive assessments, cognitive performance scale (CPS) information recorded in RAI-MDS, and/or the RAI-MDS diagnoses "Alzheimer`s disease" and "dementia other than Alzheimer's disease” were included. Residents’ records were categorized into four evaluation groups (no dementia, moderate dementia, severe dementia, incident dementia). RAI-MDS 2.0 variables nutritional status and clustered variables (dental status, dental prosthesis status, oral complaint status, oral hygiene) based on a combination of existing RAI-MDS 2.0 items were the endpoints. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. This study received ethical declaration of no objection (KEK-ZH-Nr. 2012-0102).
Results: A total of 7922 records from 357 (LTC) were included (no dementia: n=2165, mean age=81.64±9.84yrs; moderate dementia: n=3915, mean age=82.58±8.92yrs; severe dementia: n=1018, mean age=80.85±8.94yrs, incident dementia: n=824, mean age=83.69±8.62yrs). Subjects who developed dementia over time demonstrated poorer oral hygiene at the time of the first examination than subjects in the "no dementia" group. Chewing problems increased over time regardless of the dementia severity. Oral complaints increased over time in patients with severe dementia, which in turn may have contributed to the low BMI (<23 kg/m2) and an increased risk of death. Subjects have fewer or no teeth and do not wear removable dentures as dementia progressed. The RAI-MDS 2.0 tool shows some limitations in validity and reliability for oral health items. Individual items of RAI-MDS 2.0 must be questioned with regard to correct assessment.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates a correlation between prevalent/incident dementia and poor oral health in Swiss nursing home residents. A regular RAI oral check-up (every 6 months) by nursing staff is recommended along with an education of nurses in oral diseases/dentures.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of residents of long-term care (LTC) facilities in Switzerland was performed using the Swiss version of RAI-MDS 2.0 (resident assessment instrument minimum data set) tool. Data records of residents who received at least three consecutive assessments, cognitive performance scale (CPS) information recorded in RAI-MDS, and/or the RAI-MDS diagnoses "Alzheimer`s disease" and "dementia other than Alzheimer's disease” were included. Residents’ records were categorized into four evaluation groups (no dementia, moderate dementia, severe dementia, incident dementia). RAI-MDS 2.0 variables nutritional status and clustered variables (dental status, dental prosthesis status, oral complaint status, oral hygiene) based on a combination of existing RAI-MDS 2.0 items were the endpoints. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. This study received ethical declaration of no objection (KEK-ZH-Nr. 2012-0102).
Results: A total of 7922 records from 357 (LTC) were included (no dementia: n=2165, mean age=81.64±9.84yrs; moderate dementia: n=3915, mean age=82.58±8.92yrs; severe dementia: n=1018, mean age=80.85±8.94yrs, incident dementia: n=824, mean age=83.69±8.62yrs). Subjects who developed dementia over time demonstrated poorer oral hygiene at the time of the first examination than subjects in the "no dementia" group. Chewing problems increased over time regardless of the dementia severity. Oral complaints increased over time in patients with severe dementia, which in turn may have contributed to the low BMI (<23 kg/m2) and an increased risk of death. Subjects have fewer or no teeth and do not wear removable dentures as dementia progressed. The RAI-MDS 2.0 tool shows some limitations in validity and reliability for oral health items. Individual items of RAI-MDS 2.0 must be questioned with regard to correct assessment.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates a correlation between prevalent/incident dementia and poor oral health in Swiss nursing home residents. A regular RAI oral check-up (every 6 months) by nursing staff is recommended along with an education of nurses in oral diseases/dentures.