Associations Among Oral Health Status, Caregiver Burden and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Dependent Older Adults
Objectives: To examine the associations among oral health status, caregiver burden, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in dependent older adults.
Methods: A cross-sectional census survey was conducted with 159 dependent older adults and their primary caregivers in rural Thailand between May 2022 and June 2023. Participants were categorized as home-bound or bed-bound using Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scores. Data were collected through oral examinations, the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) index, and a culturally adapted caregiver burden questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to explore associated factors.
Results: Participants had a mean age of 79.9±10.1 years, with common comorbidities including hypertension (72.96%), hyperlipidemia (63.52%), and diabetes (35.22%). Bed-bound older adults had significantly poorer OHRQoL (mean OIDP score 15.6±12.3 vs. 10.7±10.2, p=0.020) and worse oral health status. Participants averaged 9.1 functional teeth, with only 13.21% having ≥4 occluding posterior pairs. Common problems included untreated root caries (62.26%) and xerostomia signs (37.74%). Caregiver burden was generally low (mean 18.2±11.6) but significantly higher for bed-bound caregivers (p=0.014). Greater caregiver burden was associated with poorer OHRQoL (OR=1.044, p=0.017).
Conclusions: Higher caregiver burden negatively influences OHRQoL in dependent older adults. Supporting systems for caregivers may improve oral health outcomes in rural aging populations.
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