Influence of Oral Health on Frailty in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Aged 75 Years or Older

Background: Poor oral health conditions are known to affect frailty in the elderly. Diabetes is a risk factor for both poor oral health and frailty, and, therefore, oral health status may affect frailty in diabetic patients more than in the general population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of oral health on frailty in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods Patients with type 2 diabetes aged 75 years or older were included in this retrospective study. Eligible patients were surveyed by questionnaire for frailty, oral health status, and cognitive and living functions. Factors influencing pre-frailty, frailty, and individual frailty score categories were evaluated. Results Of the 111 patients analyzed, 66 cases (59.5%) were categorized as robust, 33 cases (29.7%) as pre-frailty, and 12 cases (4.5 %) as frailty. The oral frailty index, the cognitive and living functions score, and BMI were found to be factors influencing pre-frailty or frailty. In the evaluation of individual frailty score categories, BMI only had an influence on those with a frailty score ≤ 2. The cognitive and living functions score was a factor influencing those with frailty scores ≤ 3. The oral frailty index was found to have a significant influence on all frailty score categories. Conclusion Poor oral health has an influence on frailty in patients with type 2 diabetes aged ≥ 75. In this patient population, as frailty progresses, the impact of oral health on frailty may increase. Trial registration: This study was retrospectively registered in UMIN-CTR (UMIN000044227).