Ps-c04-10: the association of oral hypofunction and arterial stiffness

Objective: Frailty is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. Recently, oral hypofunction, a disease in which the oral function is complexly reduced not only by ageing but also by a variety of factors, is regarded as a major risk factor for frailty, as it develops malnutrition and sarcopenia. However, no studies have evaluated the association of oral hypofunction and arterial stiffness, a marker for CVD. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association of oral hypofunction and arterial stiffness. Design and method: Japanese subjects above 50 years old who underwent annual health checkup were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Subjects with history of CVD and dementia were excluded. Arterial stiffness was evaluated by brachial-ancle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Oral hypofunction was evaluated based on the guidance by the Japanese Association for Dental Science. Seven oral functional factors, oral hygiene, oral moisture, occlusal force, tongue-lip motor function, tongue pressure, masticatory function, and swallowing function were assessed. Oral hypofunction was diagnosed if more than 3 factors showed deterioration. The association of oral hypofunction and baPWV was evaluated by multivariate linear regression analysis adjusted for conventional CVD risk factors. We also performed secondary analysis to evaluate the association of each oral functional factors and arterial stiffness. Results: Among 138 subjects (mean age: 59 ± 6 years), 29 subjects (21%) had oral hypofunction. After adjustment for CVD risk factors, oral hypofunction was not significantly associated with baPWV (β; = 24 ± 52, p = 0.65). In secondary analysis, higher oral bacterial count, a marker of oral hygiene, was significantly associated with increased baPWV even after adjustment for conventional CVD risk factors (1SD increase of oral bacterial count; β; = 51 ± 23, P = 0.03). But, this association was not observed with other oral functional factors and arterial stiffness. Conclusions: Oral hypofunction was not associated with increase of arterial stiffness. However, higher oral bacterial count was associated with increased arterial stiffness. Further research on oral hypofunction and CVD is warranted.