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Impact of Tongue Pressure and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate on Nutritional Status Of Older Residents of Nursing Homes in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study

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The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objectives

Swallowing function is critical for continuing oral feeding to prevent frailty in older adults. In this study, we investigated the impact of tongue pressure and pulmonary function on the nutritional status of older adults.

Design, Setting, Participants

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kitakyushu, Japan from August 2017 to November 2018. Fifty-two residents aged >65 years of age from three nursing care insurance facilities in Kitakyushu City, Japan were recruited.

Measurements

Oral health status, swallowing function, nutritional status using a mini nutritional assessment short form (MNA-SF), cognitive function, activities of daily living, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) for pulmonary function, and tongue pressure were assessed. The associations between nutritional status and the above factors were analysed using a logistic regression model.

Results

Participants were divided into two groups: well-nourished group (MNA-SF ≤12) and undernutrition group (MNA-SF <12). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the correlations of PEFR [odds ratio (OR) = 0.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.23.0.89 p=0.033) and tongue pressure (OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.88.0.99, p=0.029) remained significant even after adjustment with possible confounders.

Conclusion

Maximum tongue pressure and PEFR in older adults were significantly associated with their nutritional status. These findings suggest that maintaining oral and pulmonary function may be a preventive factor against a decrease in the nutritional status of older frail adults.

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Acknowledgement

The authors acknowledge the participation of the 3 nursing homes in the present study. This study was partially supported by the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), 2018–2020 (18K17292, Maya Izumi).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Kyushu Dental University, 2-6-1, Manazuru, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu, 803-8580, Japan

    M. Izumi, K. Sonoki & Sumio Akifusa

  2. Division of Comprehensive Internal Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Kyushu Dental University, Kitakyushu, Japan

    Y. Ohta & M. Fukuhara

  3. Shin-eikai Hospital, Kitakyushu, Japan

    M. Nagata

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  1. M. Izumi
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  2. K. Sonoki
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  3. Y. Ohta
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  4. M. Fukuhara
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  6. Sumio Akifusa
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Correspondence to Sumio Akifusa.

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Conflicts of interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Standards: The authors declare that the study procedures comply with the current ethical standards for investigation involving human participants in Japan.

Disclosure: The authors have stated explicitly that there are no conflicts of interest in connection with this article.

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Izumi, M., Sonoki, K., Ohta, Y. et al. Impact of Tongue Pressure and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate on Nutritional Status Of Older Residents of Nursing Homes in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Nutr Health Aging 24, 512–517 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-020-1347-y

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