Oral frailty-based vulnerability and oropharyngeal dysphagia in community-dwelling older adults: evidence from eat-10 and OFI-8
Irish Journal of Medical Science, cilt.195, sa.3, ss.1803-1810, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 195 Sayı: 3
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s11845-026-04354-7
- Dergi Adı: Irish Journal of Medical Science
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1803-1810
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Frailty, Oral frailty index-8 (OFI-8), Oral Frailty, Oropharyngeal dysphagia
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: Frailty is a multidimensional geriatric syndrome associated with poor health outcomes. Decline in oral function, including chewing, swallowing, and tongue movement—termed oral frailty—has emerged as a contributor to systemic vulnerability. Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) may represent a key link between oral frailty-based vulnerability and systemic frailty, yet data from non-Asian populations are limited. This study investigated the relationship between OD risk, oral frailty, and systemic frailty in older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 447 individuals aged ≥65 years attending geriatric outpatient clinics. Swallowing function was assessed using the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10), with scores ≥3 indicating OD risk. Oral frailty-based vulnerability was evaluated using the Oral Frailty Index-8 (OFI-8), with scores ≥4 defining oral frailty. Multivariate logistic regression identified independent predictors of systemic frailty. Results: The mean age was 73.6 ± 7.8 years; 75.6% were women. According to OFI-8, 56.6% were frail, while 31.3% were at risk for OD based on EAT-10. Individuals at risk of OD had lower handgrip strength, albumin, and vitamin D levels and a higher prevalence of osteoporosis (all p<0.05). Logistic regression revealed that OD risk independently predicted oral frailty-based vulnerability, increasing the odds by nearly sixfold (OR 5.83–6.34, p<0.001) after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions: OD risk assessed by EAT-10 is an independent predictor of oral frailty-based vulnerability. Incorporating EAT-10 and OFI-8 into comprehensive geriatric assessments may facilitate early identification and multidisciplinary management of vulnerable older adults.