DOI: 10.11607/ijp.4016, PubMed-ID: 25822309Seiten: 198-200, Sprache: EnglischZenthöfer, Andreas / Rammelsberg, Peter / Cabrera, Tomas / Hassel, Alexander
To investigate the association between prosthetic rehabilitation and malnutrition in institutionalized elders, 255 nursing home residents were recruited for this study and underwent a comprehensive dental examination. The body mass index (BMI) was administered to estimate the nutritional condition. Participants with BMI < 20 kg/m² were categorized as malnourished (n = 33), whereas all others were categorized as adequately nourished (n = 222). The number of teeth present and the prevalence of prosthetic rehabilitation were significantly lower in malnourished participants (P < .05). Malnutrition risk was 4.6 times higher for participants who were edentulous and did not wear dentures. Adequate replacement of teeth is important to prevent malnutrition in institutionalized older people.