J Korean Geriatr Psychiatry.  2026 Apr;30(1):42-49. 10.47825/jkgp.2026.30.1.42.

Impact of Oral Health on Cognitive Function and Quality of Life in Elderly Patients With Schizophrenia

• Kim HM
• Kim KY
• Han JH
• Kim EJ
• Yim SJ

• KMID: 2581170
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.47825/jkgp.2026.30.1.42

Abstract

Objective
To investigate the relationship between oral health, cognitive function, and quality of life (QoL) in elderly patients with schizophrenia.
Methods
This cross-sectional study included 92 patients with schizophrenia, aged 60-90 years. Assessments included the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease-Korean version, Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale (SQLS), and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S). Correlation and multiple regression analyses were performed.
Results
GOHAI scores were significantly and negatively correlated with SQLS (r=-0.323) and CGI-S (r=-0.230). Multiple regression confirmed GOHAI as an independent predictor of SQLS (β=-0.325, p=0.001) after controlling for demographic and clinical variables. Furthermore, anticholinergic drug use did not significantly moderate the positive impact of oral health on QoL.
Conclusion
Improving oral health is directly associated with better subjective QoL in elderly patients with schizophrenia, independent of objective cognitive decline or anticholinergic burden. Integrated psychiatric-dental care is crucial for this population.

Keyword

Schizophrenia; Oral health; Quality of life; Cognition