完全自然歯列の高齢者における咀嚼機能の性差の検討

Gender differences in masticatory function in elderly adults with natural dentition.

抄録

本研究の目的は、完全自然歯列の高齢者の咀嚼機能における性差の有無を明らかにすることである。65歳以上の高齢者（高齢者群）56名と20〜40代の自然歯列の若年成人（若年群）60名が本研究に参加した．デンタルプレスケールを用いて，習慣性咀嚼側の最大咬合力を測定した．次に，グミゼリーを習慣的咀嚼側で20秒間咀嚼したときのブドウ糖の抽出量を測定した．高齢者群と若年者群における最大咬合力と咀嚼能力を男女で比較した．また，最大咬合力と咀嚼能力との関連についても検討した．高齢者群と若年者群の最大咬合力は，女性よりも男性で大きく，その差は有意であった．ブドウ糖抽出量は，高齢者群と若年者群では，女性よりも男性で多く，その差は有意であった．最大咬合力とブドウ糖抽出量との関係については，有意な正の相関が認められた．以上の結果から，完全天然歯列の高齢者の咀嚼機能には性差があり，咀嚼機能評価においてその差に注意する必要があることが示唆された．

The purpose of this study was to clarify the presence or absence of gender differences in masticatory function in elderly adults with completely natural dentition. Fifty-six elderly adults aged 65 years and older (elderly group) and 60 young adults in their 20-40 s (young group) with natural dentition participated in this study. The maximum occlusal force on the habitual chewing side was measured using dental prescale. Next, the amount of glucose extraction when subjects chewed a gummy jelly on their habitual chewing side for 20 s was measured. The maximum occlusal force and masticatory performance in the elderly and young groups were compared between males and females. The relationship between the maximum occlusal force and masticatory performance was also investigated. The maximum occlusal force in the elderly and young groups was larger in males than in females, and the difference was significant. The amount of glucose extraction in the elderly and young groups was higher in males than in females, and the difference was significant. Regarding the relationship between the maximum occlusal force and the amount of glucose extraction, there was a significant positive correlation. These results suggest that there are gender differences in the masticatory function of the elderly adults with completely natural dentition, and these differences need to be noted in the evaluation of masticatory function.