Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40556004›Full record

ArticleBMC geriatrics2025

Effect of deterioration of swallowing functions on the frailty status in older adults: a longitudinal cohort study.

En-Chih Weng, Yoko Hasegawa, Tasuku Yoshimoto, Ma Therese Sta Maria, Koutatsu Nagai, Naoko Sato, Kana Tokumoto, Kazuhiro Hori, Hiroshi Kusunoki, Hiromitsu Kishimoto and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC geriatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
  3. Review
  4. Observational
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

En-Chih WengDivision of Comprehensive Prosthodontics, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 5274, Gakkocho-dori 2-bancho, Chuo-ku, Niigata, 951-8514, Japan.
Yoko HasegawaDivision of Comprehensive Prosthodontics, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 5274, Gakkocho-dori 2-bancho, Chuo-ku, Niigata, 951-8514, Japan. cem17150@dent.niigata-u.ac.jp.
Tasuku YoshimotoDivision of Comprehensive Prosthodontics, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 5274, Gakkocho-dori 2-bancho, Chuo-ku, Niigata, 951-8514, Japan.
Ma Therese Sta MariaDivision of Comprehensive Prosthodontics, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 5274, Gakkocho-dori 2-bancho, Chuo-ku, Niigata, 951-8514, Japan.
Koutatsu NagaiDepartment of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Hyogo Medical University, Kobe, Japan.
Naoko SatoDivision of Comprehensive Prosthodontics, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 5274, Gakkocho-dori 2-bancho, Chuo-ku, Niigata, 951-8514, Japan.
Kana TokumotoDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Medicine, Hyogo Medical University, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan.
Kazuhiro HoriDivision of Comprehensive Prosthodontics, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 5274, Gakkocho-dori 2-bancho, Chuo-ku, Niigata, 951-8514, Japan.
Hiroshi KusunokiDepartment of Internal Medicine, Osaka Dental University, Hirakata, Japan.
Hiromitsu KishimotoDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Medicine, Hyogo Medical University, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan.
Ken ShinmuraDepartment of General Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Hyogo Medical University, Nishinomiya, Japan.

Funding

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science 16KT0012, 22K19496National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology Choujyu 20-1, 21-18
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDeterioration of swallowing function (DSF) is common among aging adults and can lead to negative health outcomes such as increased risk of malnutrition. However, the longitudinal relationship between the DSF and frailty status remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether declining swallowing function is linked to frailty progression in independent older adults.

methodsThis study included 795 community-dwelling Japanese individuals aged ≥ 65 years who participated in two surveys: one at baseline and one after two years. Swallowing function was evaluated using the repetitive saliva swallowing test, tongue pressure test, and questionnaire. DSF was identified by meeting more than one of three criteria: Repeated Saliva Swallow Test below 3, tongue pressure under 27.4 kPa for men and 26.5 kPa for women, and a "yes" response to the questionnaire. Frailty status was assessed using the Kihon Checklist, with participants showing a decline categorized into the "aggravation group." Oral function (number of teeth, occlusal force, masticatory performance, and oral dryness) and physical function (body mass index, gait speed, grip strength, and skeletal muscle mass index) were evaluated. Comparisons between the two groups were made using the Student's t-test or the χ2 test. Differences among the three groups were assessed using the one-way analysis of variance or the χ2 test. Significant differences in continuous variables were analyzed using the Least Significant Difference method, with P-values adjusted using the Bonferroni correction.

resultsInitially, 87 (10.9%) participants were frail. By follow-up, 149 participants (37.9%) had progressed to frailty, 83 of whom (55.7%) exhibited impaired swallowing function at baseline. At baseline, frailty was significantly associated with age, gait speed, decreased swallowing function, number of functional teeth, occlusal force, and masticatory performance. None of the three swallowing function assessment methods were significantly associated with the progression of frailty. In contrast, logistic regression analysis of frailty progression showed that impaired swallowing function was a significant explanatory variable (OR, 1.53; 95% CI: 1.04-2.21).

conclusionThis study found a significant association between frailty and multiple factors, particularly oral function. Specifically, diminished swallowing function has emerged as a notable independent predictor of frailty progression.

Indexed as

DeglutitionDeglutition DisordersFrail ElderlyFrailtyAgedAged, 80 and overCohort StudiesDisease ProgressionFemaleGeriatric AssessmentHumansIndependent LivingJapanLongitudinal StudiesMaleDysphagiaFrailtyOlder adultsOral hypofunctionSwallowing

Identifiers

PMID40556004
PMCPMC12186369

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.