Relationship of tooth loss to mild memory impairment and cognitive impairment: findings from the Fujiwara-kyo study

Abstract

Background: This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between the number of remaining teeth to mild memory impairment (MMI), which is a preclinical stage of dementia, and to cognitive impairment.

Methods: The subjects were aged 65 years or older and were grouped according to their score for the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the three-word delayed recall test in the MMSE, and the Geriatric Depression Scale into the control group (n = 3,696), the MMI group (n = 121), and the low MMSE score (23 or lower) group (n = 214). We collected data on the number of remaining teeth, the length of the edentulous period, health-related lifestyle, medical history, blood pressure, height, and body weight. Fasting venous blood samples were also obtained.

Results: Multiple logistic regression analysis, adjusted for depressive symptoms, age, sex, length of education, and other explanatory variables, revealed that the odds ratios of 0-10 remaining teeth to 22-32 remaining teeth were 1.679 (95% CI 1.073-2.627) for MMI and 2.177 (95% CI 1.510-3.140) for a low MMSE score. A significant relationship was also found between the length of the edentulous period and the risk of a low MMSE score (odds ratio 3.102, 95% CI 1.432-6.720) (15 years or more/less than 15 years).

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that tooth loss is associated with cognitive function.

Figure 1

Selection of subjects. MMI: Mild Memory Impairment, MMSE: Mini-Mental State Examination, GDS: Geriatric Depression Scale.

Figure 2

Prevalence of MMI or low MMSE-score according to dental status. MMI: Mild Memory Impairment, MMSE: Mini-Mental State Examination, CPI: Community Periodontal Index. *P < 0.001. A trend test to detect the increased prevalence was performed using the Mantel-extension method.