The current status and influencing factors of oral frailty in elderly maintenance hemodialysis patients based on the Andersen Oral Health Outcome Model.

OBJECTIVES

To analyse the elements that influence oral frailty in elderly maintenance hemodialysis patients and to comprehend the present state of this condition.

METHODS

A survey of 325 elderly maintenance hemodialysis patients from three hospitals in Huzhou City was conducted using a general information questionnaire, the Oral Health Assessment Tool, the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Oral Health Questionnaire, the Social Frailty, the Frail Scale, and the Oral Frailty Index.

RESULTS

In elderly maintenance hemodialysis patients, the prevalence of oral frailty was 45.2%. Factors influencing it include the Oral Health Knowledge Score (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.72-0.98), Oral Health Behavior Score (OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.92-0.98), insufficient dialysis (OR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.14-0.63), social frailty (OR = 3.72, 95% CI 1.57-8.83), physical frailty (OR = 3.12, 95% CI 1.55-6.30), number of missing teeth (OR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.15), swallowing abnormalities (OR = 2.84, 95% CI 1.26-6.38), and oral health scores (OR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.14-1.57) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Patients on elderly maintenance hemodialysis are more susceptible to oral frailty. Nursing staff should develop scientifically sound, effective, and targeted oral management strategies for these patients.