Relationship between behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and oral health status in the elderly with vascular dementia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and oral status in the elderly with vascular dementia. BACKGROUND: There have been some reports of a relationship between disease symptoms and oral status in the elderly with Alzheimer's disease, but few reports have been conducted in the elderly with vascular dementia. Until now, the relationship between BPSD and oral status has been unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An investigation was conducted concerning BPSD and oral status among 57 subjects with vascular dementia (mean age, 85.7 ± 5.5 years). The wearing of dentures and oral activities of daily living (oral ADL) were examined. RESULTS: Subjects with activity disturbances and those with aggressiveness had significantly lower rates of denture wearing than those without these two symptoms (p < 0.05). Significantly lower oral ADL scores were obtained from subjects with delusional ideas, hallucinations, activity disturbances and diurnal rhythm disturbances (p < 0.05), as well as those with affective disturbances (p< 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study indicated a relationship between BPSD and the wearing of dentures in the elderly with vascular dementia. The study also demonstrated relationships between BPSD and oral ADL.

Nutritional status and oral status of the elderly with dementia: a 2-year study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between denture wearing and nutritional status in the elderly with dementia. BACKGROUND: There could be a correlation between nutrition, oral health, dietary habits, patients' satisfaction, and their socio-economic status in the elderly, and the relationship between compromised oral status and nutritional status in the elderly with dementia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A 2-year follow-up study of 63 elderly Japanese women with and without dentures from a nursing home was undertaken to investigate their oral, physical and mental, and nutritional status. RESULTS: Each item for 2006 and 2008 in this study showed no significant difference between 2006 and 2008, except the calories/day. The elderly with dementia without complete dentures during the 2 years of the study only significantly decreased the mean of the calories/day. CONCLUSION: The calories/day of the elderly with dementia without dentures decreased after 2 years. Denture wearing for the elderly with dementia could be necessary to maintain a satisfactory intake of calories.