Relationship between mastication and malnutrition in community-dwelling older adults: a meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT Purpose To determine the relationship between mastication and malnutrition in community-dwelling older adults. Research strategies To establish the eligibility criteria, the acronym PECOS was used Population non-institutionalized older adults; Exposure older adults with malnutrition; Control older adults without malnutrition; Outcome: masticatory problems in malnourished older adults; Study types observational studies. Selection criteria It selected studies assessing malnutrition and mastication difficulties in non-institutionalized adults over 60 years old, of both sexes. Mastication and malnutrition were evaluated with questionnaires on self-reported symptoms and clinical and instrumental assessments. There were no restrictions on language, year of publication, or ethnicity. Data analysis The included studies were evaluated for methodological quality with the Joanna Briggs Institute tool for cross-sectional studies. For the cross-sectional studies included, the odds ratio (OR) was calculated with 95% confidence intervals. Results After searching the databases, 692 references were retrieved, with three studies selected for quantitative and qualitative analysis. The values obtained in the meta-analysis for association show that malnutrition and mastication difficulties were 2.21 times as likely to occur (OR = 2.21; 95%CI = 0.93 - 5.26; I2 = 94%) as individuals without malnutrition (p < 0.001). The assessment of the risk of bias presented a high-risk, a moderate-risk, and a low-risk study. The certainty of evidence was rated very low with the GRADE tool. Conclusion Individuals at risk of malnutrition are 2.21 times as likely to have mastication difficulties.