Association of oral problems with malnutrition and sarcopenia in older adults in a frailty clinic.

PURPOSE: Malnutrition and sarcopenia are critical geriatric syndromes sharing risk factors with oral health deficits. This study aimed to investigate the association between the accumulation of multiple oral problems and the prevalence of malnutrition and sarcopenia in older outpatients visiting a frailty clinic.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study analyzed registry data from 505 patients (mean age, 77.9 ± 6.2 years). Malnutrition and sarcopenia were diagnosed using the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition and Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2025 criteria, respectively. We assessed three oral problems: oral frailty (Oral Frailty Five-item Checklist ≥2), low tongue pressure (<30 kPa), and poor oral hygiene (Tongue Coating Index ≥9). Associations between these oral problems-both individually and cumulatively-and nutritional or sarcopenic status were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS

The prevalence of malnutrition and sarcopenia was 20% and 16%, respectively. Participants with low tongue pressure or oral frailty exhibited significantly higher rates of both conditions. A higher prevalence of malnutrition and sarcopenia was observed in patients with a greater number of co-existing oral problems. In the adjusted multivariate analysis, the number of oral problems was a factor independently associated with malnutrition (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.33; 95% CI, 1.03-1.71) and sarcopenia (adjusted OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.23-2.20).

CONCLUSION

The accumulation of multiple oral problems was a significant factor associated with malnutrition and sarcopenia in older outpatients. The implementation of comprehensive oral assessments, including objective tongue pressure measurement and oral frailty screening, is crucial for identifying high-risk patients and facilitating early multidisciplinary interventions.