AimDepression is prevalent among older adults. Although the number of missing teeth is considered to be associated with depression, the relationship between masticatory function, which is usually indicated by functional tooth units (FTUs), and depression in older adults remains unclear.Materials and MethodsThis study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009–2018. The number of FTUs was defined as pairs of opposing natural and artificial teeth. Depression was accessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9), and participants who scored ≥10 on PHQ‐9 were diagnosed with depression. Logistic regression analyses, propensity score matching (PSM) analyses and subgroup analyses were conducted to assess the association between FTU and depression.ResultsThe analysis included 5764 individuals over 60 years. An association between FTU and the risk of depression among older adults was detected (odds ratio [OR] = 0.951, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.915–0.989), suggesting protective roles of more FTUs. Significant increase in the risk of depression in 0 ≤ FTUs ≤ 3 was observed compared with 10 ≤ FTUs ≤ 12 (OR = 1.819, 95% CI 1.157–2.858). However, no significant increase in the risk of depression in 4 ≤ FTUs ≤ 9 was found. After PSM, significant increase in the risk of depression in 0 ≤ FTUs ≤ 3 was still detected compared with 4 ≤ FTUs ≤ 12 (OR = 1.484, 95% CI 1.030–2.136). Subgroup analyses demonstrated consistent results in all subgroups, except for individuals aged 76–80 and drinking regularly.ConclusionsThe findings suggested the association between impaired masticatory function and the risk of depression among older adults. Longitudinal studies are needed to elucidate the role of masticatory function impairment in the development of depression further.

中文翻译：

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咀嚼功能与老年人抑郁之间的关联：NHANES 2009 年至 2018 年的结果


Aim抑郁症在老年人中很普遍。尽管缺失的牙齿数量被认为与抑郁症有关，但咀嚼功能（通常由功能性牙齿单位 （FTU） 表示）与老年人抑郁症之间的关系仍不清楚。材料和方法本研究使用了 2009-2018 年全国健康与营养检查调查 （NHANES） 的数据。FTU 的数量被定义为对立的天然牙和人造牙。使用患者健康问卷 （PHQ-9） 访问抑郁症，在 PHQ-9 上得分 ≥10 分的参与者被诊断患有抑郁症。进行 Logistic 回归分析、倾向评分匹配 （PSM） 分析和亚组分析，以评估 FTU 与抑郁之间的关联。结果该分析包括 5764 名 60 岁以上的个体。检测到 FTU 与老年人抑郁风险之间的关联 （比值比 [OR] = 0.951,95% 置信区间 [CI] 0.915-0.989），表明更多的 FTU 具有保护作用。与 12 ≤ 10 ≤ FTU 相比，观察到 0 ≤ FTU ≤ 3 的抑郁风险显著增加 （OR = 1.819,95% CI 1.157–2.858）。然而，在 4 ≤ FTU ≤ 9 中未发现抑郁风险显着增加。PSM 后，与 4 ≤ FTU ≤ 12 相比，0 ≤ FTU ≤ 3 的抑郁风险仍显著增加 （OR = 1.484,95% CI 1.030–2.136）。亚组分析显示，除 76-80 岁且经常饮酒的个体外，所有亚组的结果都一致。结论研究结果表明，咀嚼功能受损与老年人抑郁风险之间存在关联。 需要纵向研究来进一步阐明咀嚼功能障碍在抑郁症发展中的作用。