Research ArticleOpen Access

Association among Perceived Oral Health, General Health, Activity Limitation and Quality of Life in Korea Older Adults

Volume 3 - Issue 1

Seungyoun Hong*

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- Department of Senior Industry, Kangnam University, South Korea
*Corresponding author: Seungyoun Hong, Department of Senior Industry, Kangnam University, Yongin, South Korea

Received: February 27, 2018; Published: March 09, 2018

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.03.000840

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Abstract

Background: The purpose of this research was to assess the association among self-rated oral health, general health, and quality of life (QOL) in Korean older adults.

Method: Data were analyzed from the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V, 2010) with 1,866 subjects, aged 60 or older. QOL was measured by EQ-5D (EuroQOl-5 Dimension). Self-rated oral health was queried in a health interview survey. Chi-square and hierarchical logistic regression analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS 23.0.

Results: More than 45% and 31% of the subjects rated their oral health and general health as poor, respectively. Subjects who were women (t=-0.24, p<.05) and less educated (p<.05) were more likely to report poor perceived oral health. The correlation between oral and general health was weak (rho=0.14, p<.001) but subjects perceived their general health very good and good had significantly better perceived oral health (F=10.99, p<.001). After controlling for confounders, subjects who had less difficulty in chewing (OR: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.13-0.20), better perceived health (OR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.25-0.90) and no depressive symptom (OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.50-0.97) faced less perceived oral health difficulties than those who had chewing difficulties, worse perceived health and with depressive symptom.

Conclusion: In conclusion, self-rated health, general health, and quality of life were associated with each other in older adults. It is proposed that oral health, general health, and quality of life should be regarded as a holistic approach in the elderly population.

Keywords: Perceiver oral health; Activity limitation; QOL; Olders