J Agric Med Community Health.  2010 Sep;35(3):249-259.

Influence of Lifestyle-Related Diseases on the Oral Health of the Rural Elderly in Korea

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Health, Graduate School, Yeungnam University, Korea.
  • 2Department of Preventive Medicine, Yeungnam University, Korea. lhk@med.yu.ac.kr
  • 3Department of Preventive Medicine & Public Health, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Korea.

Abstract


OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of four lifestyle-related diseases, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and hypercholesterolemia, on oral health in the rural elderly in Korea.
METHODS
We enrolled 399 subjects over 60 years of age over a six year period, year 2000-2006/year 2001-2007. All subjects received a routine health examination as part of a program conducted by the National Health Insurance Corporation at Seongju-gun Public Health Center in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, South Korea. All subjects were surveyed and examined to determine their general and oral health statuses.
RESULTS
Our results suggest that the duration of lifestyle-related diseases has a significant influence on oral health. The following factors were all significant in the results of analyses: duration of diabetes, tooth decay, which teeth had decayed, missing and filled teeth(DMFT), duration of hypertension, and duration of obesity and hypercholesterolemia(p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
In summary, lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and hypercholesterolemia have significant influences on oral health in the elderly. In this context, the prevention and management of lifestyle-related disease is critical for the maintenance and promotion of oral health.

Keyword

Life-style; Chronic disease; Oral health

MeSH Terms

Aged
Chronic Disease
Humans
Hypercholesterolemia
Hypertension
Korea
National Health Programs
Obesity
Oral Health
Public Health
Republic of Korea
Tooth
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