Associations between edentulism and health indicators among older adults in India

Abstract

The study aimed to estimate the associations between edentulism and health indicators among older adults in a national population survey in India. The sample included 52,393 older adults (≥50 years) from a cross-sectional national community-dwelling survey in India in 2017-2018. Results indicate that the prevalence of edentulism was 8.4%. In the adjusted logistic regression analysis, edentulism was positively associated with having difficulties with one or more Activities of Daily Living (ADL) (Adjusted Odds Ratio-AOR: 1.55, 95% Confidence Interval-CI: 1.14-2.10), having difficulties with one or more Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) (AOR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.01-1.62) and body underweight (AOR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.12-1.44). Furthermore, edentulism was negatively associated with cognitive functioning (AOR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.47-0.77), angina (AOR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.68-0.97), and general overweight or obesity (AOR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.66-0.87). In addition, in unadjusted analysis, edentulism was associated with poor or fair self-rated health status and low life satisfaction. Edentulism was positively associated with having difficulty with one or more ADL, having difficulties with one or more IADL and body underweight, and negatively associated with cognitive functioning, angina, and overweight or obesity.