Oral Disease and Malnutrition in the Elderly—Impact of Oral Cancer

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this paper is to review current evidence for a concomitant relationship between oral diseases and malnutrition in the elderly. A narrative overview of current literature was undertaken to combine the context for research with critical elaboration and commentary.

Recent Findings

Oral disease is one of the most common public health issues worldwide with significant socio-economic impacts, and yet it is frequently neglected in public health policy. Epidemiologic studies show that oral disease frequently causes malnutrition in the elderly. In particular, malnutrition is associated with poor quality of life and poor efficacy of oncologic therapy in oral cancer patients.

Summary

As oral disease remains a major public health burden worldwide, it is of great importance to integrate oral health into the nutrition agenda via the Common Risk Factor Approach. As such the long-term sustainable strategy for global oral health should focus on health promotion and malnutrition prevention in the elderly.

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