Relationship between oral hypofunction and medical expenditure in older adults in Japan

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the impact of poor oral function on medical expenditures among older adults. We diagnosed oral hypofunction based on dental data obtained from oral health examinations and examined its association with several annual medical expenditures. Compared to individuals...

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Main Authors: Takatoshi Hiroshimaya, Yoshiaki Kawagoe, Kazuto Fukuhara, Hiroshi Ijichi, Naofumi Tamaki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85768-8
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author Takatoshi Hiroshimaya
Yoshiaki Kawagoe
Kazuto Fukuhara
Hiroshi Ijichi
Naofumi Tamaki
author_facet Takatoshi Hiroshimaya
Yoshiaki Kawagoe
Kazuto Fukuhara
Hiroshi Ijichi
Naofumi Tamaki
author_sort Takatoshi Hiroshimaya
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study aimed to analyze the impact of poor oral function on medical expenditures among older adults. We diagnosed oral hypofunction based on dental data obtained from oral health examinations and examined its association with several annual medical expenditures. Compared to individuals without oral hypofunction, those with oral hypofunction incurred higher total, outpatient medical, inpatient medical, dental, dispensing medical, and lifestyle-related medical expenditures. Those with high medical expenditure costs were significantly more likely than those without to be 80 years old, male, with oral hypofunction, poor oral hygiene, xerostomia, poor lip closure, physical frailty, mental frailty, and subjective poor health. Logistic regression analysis indicated that oral hypofunction was significantly associated with total medical, inpatient medical, dental outpatient, dispensing medical, and lifestyle-related medical expenditures, compared to those without oral hypofunction (p < 0.05). Additionally, every increase in the number of items with declined oral function and total medical, dental, and dispensing medical expenditures increased significantly (p < 0.01). The results of this study suggest an association between oral hypofunction and several medical expenditures. The prevention and early detection of oral hypofunction would reduce not only dental but also medical expenditures by the maintenance of good health.
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spelling doaj-art-a3304b28e3934cd7a5bf3834084f986d2025-01-19T12:23:30ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-011511910.1038/s41598-025-85768-8Relationship between oral hypofunction and medical expenditure in older adults in JapanTakatoshi Hiroshimaya0Yoshiaki Kawagoe1Kazuto Fukuhara2Hiroshi Ijichi3Naofumi Tamaki4Department of Preventive Dentistry, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medicine and Dental SciencesKagoshima Oral Health Support CenterKagoshima Dental AssociationKagoshima Dental AssociationDepartment of Preventive Dentistry, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medicine and Dental SciencesAbstract This study aimed to analyze the impact of poor oral function on medical expenditures among older adults. We diagnosed oral hypofunction based on dental data obtained from oral health examinations and examined its association with several annual medical expenditures. Compared to individuals without oral hypofunction, those with oral hypofunction incurred higher total, outpatient medical, inpatient medical, dental, dispensing medical, and lifestyle-related medical expenditures. Those with high medical expenditure costs were significantly more likely than those without to be 80 years old, male, with oral hypofunction, poor oral hygiene, xerostomia, poor lip closure, physical frailty, mental frailty, and subjective poor health. Logistic regression analysis indicated that oral hypofunction was significantly associated with total medical, inpatient medical, dental outpatient, dispensing medical, and lifestyle-related medical expenditures, compared to those without oral hypofunction (p < 0.05). Additionally, every increase in the number of items with declined oral function and total medical, dental, and dispensing medical expenditures increased significantly (p < 0.01). The results of this study suggest an association between oral hypofunction and several medical expenditures. The prevention and early detection of oral hypofunction would reduce not only dental but also medical expenditures by the maintenance of good health.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85768-8Oral hypofunctionOral frailtyMedical expenditureOral healthFrailtyGerontology
spellingShingle Takatoshi Hiroshimaya
Yoshiaki Kawagoe
Kazuto Fukuhara
Hiroshi Ijichi
Naofumi Tamaki
Relationship between oral hypofunction and medical expenditure in older adults in Japan
Scientific Reports
Oral hypofunction
Oral frailty
Medical expenditure
Oral health
Frailty
Gerontology
title Relationship between oral hypofunction and medical expenditure in older adults in Japan
title_full Relationship between oral hypofunction and medical expenditure in older adults in Japan
title_fullStr Relationship between oral hypofunction and medical expenditure in older adults in Japan
title_full_unstemmed Relationship between oral hypofunction and medical expenditure in older adults in Japan
title_short Relationship between oral hypofunction and medical expenditure in older adults in Japan
title_sort relationship between oral hypofunction and medical expenditure in older adults in japan
topic Oral hypofunction
Oral frailty
Medical expenditure
Oral health
Frailty
Gerontology
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85768-8
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