Influencing factors associated with oral health among older hospitalized patients with ischemic stroke: A cross-sectional survey.
Chengfei Wu, Huanhuan Huang, Wenxin Xu and 3 others
PMID 37545772WHAT IT FOUND
Most older stroke inpatients had poor oral health, with 91.7% of those with natural teeth having decay.
Brushing less than two minutes and rarely replacing toothbrushes were strongly linked to worse scores. Nurses should assess hygiene and support longer brushing.
Key findings
0191.7% of participants with natural teeth had at least one decayed tooth, and 92.2% had unsatisfactory oral cleanliness.
02Brushing for less than two minutes per session and replacing toothbrushes less than every three months were associated with poor oral health.
03Recurrent stroke, moderate-to-severe stroke, and higher care dependency were associated with worse oral health outcomes.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The cross-sectional design prevents determining whether poor oral health caused stroke complications or resulted from them. The study was conducted in only two hospitals in one city in China, which may limit generalizability to other populations. Participants with severe cognitive impairment (MMSE ≤25) were excluded, so findings may not apply to patients with significant dementia or acute confusion.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. Funding came from Chinese medical and educational organizations, which had no role in the study design, analysis, or writing.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that poor oral health in these patients is solely due to their stroke. The high prevalence of decay likely reflects pre-existing lifestyle and hygiene habits, as decay develops over months to years.