Aging process in nursing homes: a longitudinal analysis of the interplay between oral and physiological health and quality of life

Abstract

The routines and care provided for older adults living in nursing homes differ from those living in the community, which might affect their general health, quality of life (QoL), and oral health. Thereby, the aging process of nursing home residents needs to be understood to provide healthy and active aging. This multicenter cohort study aims to evaluate the relationship between the physical state, nutritional status, QoL, and oral health condition of nursing home residents. The study will be carried out in nursing homes residents of two Brazilian cities (Piracicaba and João Pessoa), including older adults aged 60 years and over. Volunteers with neurological or cognitive disorders, or hearing or communication impairment will be excluded. Demographic and health data such as age, sex, marital status, educational level, length of institutionalization, COVID-19 history, degree of mobility, comorbidities, and medication use will be recorded. The physical state assessment will include the frailty, maximal grip strength, and dependence in activities of daily living (ADL). A self-reported instrument adapted from Fried's original model will be applied for screening frailty. A hand dynamometer will be used to measure the maximal grip strength. The Katz scale will be applied to evaluate the dependence during ADL. The Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form will be applied to screen the nutritional status. The WHOQOL-OLD and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) will be used to assess the health-related QoL and oral health-related QoL. The oral health condition will be assessed through Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth Index (DMFT), use and need for dental prosthesis, denture condition, and masticatory performance (electronic colorimetric analysis of two-colored chewing gum). The data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and association and difference hypotheses will be tested, considering p <0.05 and ² <0.20. (AU)