Factors Associated With Nutritional Status in Patients With Removable Dentures: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Tooth loss can impair masticatory function and may subsequently result in malnutrition. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with controlling nutritional status (CONUT) scores, which assess malnutrition risk, in patients with removable dentures. Materials and methods In this cross-sectional study, data were obtained from a consecutive sampling of 192 patients (mean age 72.7 ± 8.4 years, 73 males and 119 females) with removable dentures. Variables assessed included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), Eichner index, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), social background (frequency of nutrition-related media consumption, level of attention to diet, economic status, educational background, and whether the patient lived alone), denture quality assessed by dentists, the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP), masticatory performance score based on the glucose concentration of comminuted gummy jelly, energy intake based on the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BHDQ), and the CONUT score as determined from blood test results. Multiple regression analysis was performed with malnutrition risk level (CONUT 0 as low-risk, CONUT 1 and 2 as mild-risk, and CONUT 3 and 4 as moderate-risk) as the dependent variable and the 14 items aforementioned as independent variables. Results The number of patients at low, mild, and moderate risk was 67, 116, and 9, respectively. Regression analysis revealed that being male (P = 0.004), low BMI (P < 0.001), and low masticatory performance scores (P = 0.025) were significantly associated with malnutrition risk, as evaluated by the CONUT score. Conclusion Enhanced masticatory performance may help improve the nutritional status of patients with removable dentures.