[Relation between the level of care needed and frailty for labial functions].

Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine whether the improvement of oral functions could prevent increase in the level of care needed in the elderly by analyzing the relationship between the level of care needed and labial functions.

Methods: The subjects were 114 elderly people who were healthy or needing care (44 men, 70 women; average age 81.3 +/- 6.3 years), all of whom maintained posterior occlusal support with their natural dentition and had no defect in front teeth. They were divided into four groups; Group 1: healthy elderly, Group 2: elderly requiring assistance or Care Category 1, Group 3: elderly requiring Care Categories 2 and 3, Group 4: elderly requiring Care Categories 4 and 5, according to the classification of certification of eligibility for long-term care by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Water-repellent pressure sensors (PS-2KA, Kyowa Electric Co, Japan) were embedded in an acrylic plate. The device was used to measure the labial-closing pressure during 1-gram yogurt ingestion, the maximum labial pressure with effort and the reserve capacity of pressure. Drooling of food as feeding/swallowing dysfunction of the subjects was surveyed.

Results: 1) The mean value of labial pressure with effort was 296.4 +/- 153.9 Pa, and that of the reserve capacity of labial pressure was 209.6 +/- 152.3 Pa. They showed significant declines in accordance with the aggravation level of needing care (p < 0.01). 2) The labial pressure with effort and the reserve capacity of pressure in subjects who showed drooling of food symptom were significantly lower compared to those who showed no drooling of food symptom (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Labial functions declined in accordance with the increased level of care needed, and a relationship between drooling of food and labial-closing pressure was recognized. It was suggested that the improvement of labial functions might prevent increased need of care.