Does low body weight mediate the relationship between tooth loss and cognitive impairment? A longitudinal cohort study of an older Chinese population.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between the number of teeth remaining and cognitive impairment among Chinese older adults, and to explore the role of low body weight in this association.

Methods

Data were drawn from 2011 to 2014 surveys of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), involving 4056 respondents who had no cognitive decline and aged ≥ 65 years at baseline. Cognitive function was measured by the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), and the cognitive impairment was classified according to the length of education. Number of natural teeth was self-reported (classified as ≥ 20, 10-19, 1-9, and 0). Low body weight was defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5 kg/m². Cox proportional hazards regre

SUBMITTER: Ke P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11837307 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature