Prevalence of oral frailty and its association with dietary variety, social engagement, and physical frailty: Results from the Oral Frailty 5‐Item Checklist

Aim This cross‐sectional study had two aims: to assess the prevalence of oral frailty (OF), according to the Oral Frailty 5‐Item Checklist (OF‐5), among community‐dwelling older adults; and to examine the associations among oral frailty, dietary variety, social engagement, and physical frailty. Methods We pooled data from two population‐based studies (the Otassha Study and the Itabashi Longitudinal Study on Aging). With the OF‐5, OF is characterized by the presence of two or more of the following: (i) fewer teeth, (ii) difficulty in chewing, (iii) difficulty in swallowing, (iv) dry mouth, and (v) low articulatory oral motor skills. We calculated the OF prevalence for each sex. We assessed dietary variety, social engagement, and physical frailty. Generalized structural equation modeling was employed to investigate the associations among oral frailty, low dietary variety (dietary variety score ≤3), social isolation (Lubben Social Network Scale score <12), and physical frailty (Japanese version of the Cardiovascular Health Study score ≥3). Results A total of 1206 individuals (626 women and 580 men) with a mean age of 74.7 years were included. The prevalence of OF was 36.7%, and it increased with age; however, there was no significant sex difference. OF was significantly indirectly associated with physical frailty via low dietary variety (odds ratio, 1.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.97) and social isolation (odds ratio, 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.94). Conclusions Two of five community‐dwelling older adults exhibited OF. Low dietary variety and social isolation are potential underlying mechanisms through which OF is indirectly associated with physical frailty. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 371–377 .