Increasing dependency of older people in nursing homes is associated with need for dental treatments

Figures & data

Table 1 Characteristics of the sample and statistical correlation with ROAG score (n=268)

	Frequency (%)	Mean (SD)	ROAG score (median [25%/75% quartile])	Significance (P-value)
Age	–	83.1 (9.1)	–	0.673a
Sex
Female	189 (70.5%)	–	2.0 (2.0/3.0)
Male	79 (29.5%)	–	2.0 (2.0/4.0)	0.617b
Number of diseases	–	3.4 (2.3)	–	0.650c
Number of drugs	–	6.6 (3.5)	–	0.944d
Location of long-term care home
Urban	163 (60.8%)	–	2.0 (2.0/3.0)
Rural	105 (39.2%)	–	3.0 (2.0/4.0)	0.421b
MMSE	–	17.3 (8.1)	–	0.015e
BI	–	46.9 (30.3)	–	<0.001f

Notes:

a Spearman correlation; r=0.026

b Mann–Whitney U-test

c Spearman correlation;r=−0.028

d Spearman correlation; r=−0.004

e Spearman correlation; r=−0.178

f Spearman correlation; r=−0.241. Bold indicates statistically significant P-values.

Abbreviations: BI, Barthel index; MMSE, mini-mental state examination; ROAG, revised oral assessment guide; SD, standard deviation.

Table 2 Median ROAG scores (25%/75% quartile) in the different BI categories (n=268)

	ROAG score (median [25%/75% quartile])	Significance (P-value)
0–50 (severe dependency)	3.0 (2.0/4.0)	P=0.001a
51–70 (moderate dependency)	2.0 (2.0/3.0)
71–100 (mild to no dependency)	2.0 (1.0/3.0)

Notes:

a Kruskal–Wallis test. Bold indicates a statistically significant P-value.

Abbreviations: BI, Barthel index; ROAG, revised oral assessment guide.

Table 3 Median (25%/75% quartile) BI for the single items of ROAG (n=268)

ROAG item	No treatment needed		Treatment needed		Significance (P-value)a
	Median (25%/75%)	Frequency (%)	Median (25%/75%)	Frequency (%)
Voice	50.0 (25.0/80.0)	225 (84.0%)	10.0 (5.0/25.0)	43 (16.0%)	P<0.001
Lips	45.0 (20.0/75.0)	264 (99.0%)	10.0 (6.3/32.5)	4 (1.0%)	P=0.031
Mucous membranes	45.0 (20.0/75.0)	259 (97.0%)	15.0 (10.0/65.0)	9 (3.0%)	P=0.145
Tongue	45.0 (20.0/75.0)	261 (97.4%)	15.0 (10.0/20.0)	7 (2.6%)	P=0.008
Gums (dentates only) n=161	65.0 (35.0/80.0)	83 (51.6%)	30.0 (15.0/55.0)	78 (48.4%)	P<0.001
Cleanliness of teeth and/or dentures	42.5 (18.8/80.0)	66 (24.6%)	42.5 (20.0/75.00)	202 (75.4%)	P=0.915
Saliva	45.0 (20.0/75.0)	261 (97.4)	10.0 (5.0/50.0)	7 (2.6%)	P=0.030
Swallow	45.0 (20.0/75.0)	264 (99.0%)	17.5 (6.3/36.3)	4 (1.0%)	P=0.067
Caries (dentates only) n=161	60.0 (25.0/80.0)	75 (46.6%)	40.0 (15.0/65.0)	86 (53.4%)	P=0.012
Fitting of dentures n=195	57.5 (20.0/80.0)	n=68 (34.9%)	45.0 (25.0/75.0)	127 (65.1%)	P=0.871
Retention of dentures n=195	50.0 (21.3/80.0)	n=108 (55.4%)	40.0 (25.0/75.0)	87 (44.6%)	P=0.244
Condition of denture basis or retention elements n=195	45.0 (20.0/80.0)	n=171 (87.7%)	47.5 (31.3/70.0)	n=24 (12.3%)	P=0.961

Notes:

a Mann–Whitney U-test on BI differences. Bold indicates statistically significant P-values.

Abbreviations: BI, Barthel index; ROAG, revised oral assessment guide.