Table 3.
Differences in measurement factors between the upper and lower category groups in assessments of masticatory ability.
| Measurement Factors | Total n = 100 |
Masticatory Efficiency | Masticatory Score | Satisfaction with Mastication (VAS Score) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG | UG | p-Value | LG | UG | p-Value | LG | UG | p-Value | ||
| n = 51 | n = 49 | n = 50 | n = 50 | n = 51 | n = 49 | |||||
| Nutritional status: BMI (kg/m2) | 22.6 ± 3.3 | 22.5 ± 3.0 | 22.7 ± 3.5 | 0.634 | 21.8 ± 2.7 | 23.3 ± 3.6 | 0.013* | 21.6 ± 2.9 | 23.6 ± 3.3 | 0.001 * |
| Basic attributes | ||||||||||
| Sex (male:female) | 53:47 | 29:22 | 24:25 | 0.430 a | 25:25 | 28:22 | 0.548 a | 26:25 | 27:22 | 0.680 a |
| Age | 75.3 ± 6.5 | 75.9 ± 6.7 | 74.6 ± 6.2 | 0.335 | 76.4 ± 6.5 | 74.2 ± 6.2 | 0.111 | 76.5 ± 6.5 | 74.0 ± 6.3 | 0.064 |
| Occlusal supports | ||||||||||
| Occlusal supports (unit) | 4.1 ± 5.0 | 2.4 ± 3.5 | 5.9 ± 5.7 | 0.003 * | 2.3 ± 3.9 | 5.9 ± 5.4 | 0.000 * | 3.0 ± 4.2 | 5.3 ± 5.5 | 0.059 |
| Molar occlusal supports (unit) | 1.7 ± 2.7 | 0.63 ± 1.6 | 2.7 ± 3.2 | 0.001 * | 0.8 ± 1.9 | 2.5 ± 3.1 | 0.003 * | 1.0 ± 2.2 | 2.3 ± 3.1 | 0.027 * |
| Gnathological muscle strength | ||||||||||
| Tongue pressure (kPa) | 27.8 ± 8.4 | 25.7 ± 8.3 | 30.0 ± 8.1 | 0.017 * | 27.2 ± 7.4 | 28.4 ± 9.4 | 0.282 | 27.0 ± 8.9 | 28.6 ± 7.8 | 0.370 |
| Cheek pressure (kPa) | 16.4 ± 4.0 | 16.0 ± 4.4 | 16.9 ± 3.4 | 0.202 | 17.2 ± 3.6 | 15.7 ± 4.2 | 0.110 | 16.4 ± 4.4 | 16.5 ± 3.4 | 0.983 |
| Occlusal force (N) | 274.7 ± 212.4 | 215.1 ± 183.0 | 336.9 ± 224.6 | 0.000 * | 229.7 ± 204.9 | 319.8 ± 212.1 | 0.003 * | 266.8 ± 209.8 | 283.0 ± 217.0 | 0.617 |
Mean ± standard deviation; * p < 0.05 [a chi-square test; no mark Mann–Whitney U-test].