| 2055 Oral health, general health, and aspiration pneumonia in older veterans | ||
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M.S. TERPENNING1, M.C. MANZ2, G.W. TAYLOR1, D.E. LOPATIN1, and W.J. LOESCHE1, 1University of Michigan, USA, 2University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA Objectives: To evaluate associations of oral conditions and general health with aspiration pneumonia occurrences using a longitudinal analysis of data from a 10 year observational study of oral and systemic health. Methods: We reviewed hospital records of 402 participants (ages 57 to 98) in the Geriatric Oral Science Project (GOSP) conducted at the Ann Arbor VA Hospital for aspiration pneumonia occurrences during the GOSP study. We created a dataset with aspiration pneumonia counts linked to oral and general health variables collected at the examination and interviews preceding such aspiration pneumonia occurrences. There were 1,405 time windows (records) and 84 confirmed cases of aspiration pneumonia. Counts of aspiration pneumonia occurrences varied from 0 to 4 for each record. Generalized estimating equation models using Poisson distribution for count outcomes were tested to evaluate oral and general health variables significantly contributing to prediction of aspiration pneumonia occurrences. Results: The final model included nine general and oral health-related variables. Age was kept in the model but was not significant. General health variables significantly contributing to prediction of aspiration pneumonia included history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p<0.01), history of stroke (p=0.03), and needing help with feeding (p=0.03). Presence of Staphylococcus aureus (p=0.01) and Bacteroides melanogenicus (p<0.01) in saliva, and Bacteroides forsythus (p<0.01), and Actinomyces actinomycetemcomitans (p<0.01) in dental plaque were significant oral microbial predictors in the model. A variable representing the sum of plaque scores for all teeth present, a proxy for total plaque load, was also a significant predictor (p<0.01). Conclusions: Results from this investigation support recognized general health conditions that are risk factors for aspiration pneumonia. Additionally, total plaque accumulation and specific oral bacteria were also associated with aspiration pneumonia occurrences. These findings suggest potential for oral interventions in preventing aspiration pneumonia in older adults. This study supported by NIH/NIDCR Grant DE09142. | ||
| Seq #191 - Systemic Health Issues in Geriatric Oral Health 11:00 AM-12:15 PM, Friday, 8 March 2002 San Diego Convention Center Exhibit Hall C | ||
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