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Publications

Journal Article Ahead of print

PubMed: 42933905 DOI: 10.1111/joor.70350

Domain-Specific Oral Hypofunction in Older Adults With Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Case-Control Study.

J Oral Rehabil

Authors: Yen-Chin Chen, Cheng-Yu Lin, Yung-Che Chen, Le-Trinh Lam, Linlin Lindayani, Yu-Fen Yen, Yen-Hsu Chen

Affiliations

  • Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
  • Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan.
  • School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
  • Department of Otolaryngology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
  • Sleep Medicine Center, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
  • Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
  • University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
  • STIKep PPNI Jawa Barat, Bandung, Indonesia.
  • Department of Stomatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, School of Dentistry & Institute of Oral Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
  • Chewing and Swallowing Center, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
  • Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
  • School of Medicine, Graduate Institute of Medicine, Sepsis Research Center, Center of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
  • Department of Biological Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, HsinChu, Taiwan.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) has been associated with dysphagia and tongue muscle dysfunction, but its relationship with multidimensional oral hypofunction remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined whether polysomnography-confirmed OSA is associated with domain-specific oral hypofunction in older adults.

METHODS

In this case-control study, adults aged ≥ 50 years were included. OSA was defined as an apnoea-hypopnea index ≥ 5 events/h, while controls were defined as having low OSA risk (STOP-Bang < 3). Oral hypofunction was assessed across seven domains. Sex-stratified analyses and multivariable logistic regression models were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 288 participants were included (OSA: n = 69; controls: n = 219). Compared with controls, participants with OSA demonstrated poorer oral hygiene (p < 0.001), greater oral dryness (p = 0.005) and lower tongue pressure (p = 0.022). In contrast, declines in occlusal force and chewing function were more prevalent in controls. Adjusted analyses showed that OSA was independently associated with oral hypofunction (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.07-5.81), poor oral hygiene (aOR = 4.02), oral dryness (aOR = 4.24) and reduced tongue pressure (aOR = 4.95). Similar oral environmental impairments were observed across both sexes, while tongue pressure reduction was more pronounced in males.

CONCLUSIONS

OSA is associated with impaired oral environment and reduced tongue pressure. These findings suggest that oral function assessment, particularly tongue pressure measurement, may complement the clinical evaluation of older adults with OSA and help identify individuals at increased risk of swallowing impairment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05977296.

MeSH

Hygiene, Tongue, Sleep, Case-Control Studies, Dentures, Oral Hygiene, Sex Characteristics, Dental Materials, Deglutition Disorders, Environment, Sex Differences