Table 3.
Clinical Characteristics of Individuals with or Without Chewing Difficulty
| No Chewing Difficulty (N=1762) | Chewing Difficulty (N=1256) | P-value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years), mean (SE) | 72.1 (0.2) | 73.3 (0.2) | <0.001 |
| Sex (male sex), n (%) | 786 (43.6%) | 525 (42.0%) | 0.437 |
| Smoking, n (%) | 130 (7.6%) | 141 (11.9%) | <0.001 |
| Hypertension, n (%) | 1090 (60.8%) | 833 (65.4%) | 0.038 |
| Diabetes, n (%) | 424 (23.5%) | 360 (28.7%) | 0.007 |
| Stroke, n (%) | 74 (4.2%) | 110 (9.2%) | <0.001 |
| Cardiovascular disease (MI, angina), n (%) | 125 (7.0%) | 105 (8.1%) | 0.331 |
| Number of teeth, mean (SE) | 22.3 (0.3) | 20.5 (0.3) | <0.001 |
| Periodontal disease, n (%) | 732 (45.2%) | 546 (51.6%) | 0.005 |
| Number of carious teeth, mean (SE) | 0.5 (0.1) | 0.7 (0.1) | 0.001 |
| Protein intake (g/day), mean (SE) | 56.9 (1.3) | 51.6 (1.0) | <0.001 |
| Grip strength (kg), mean (SE) | |||
| Male | 33.5 (0.4) | 32.0 (0.4) | <0.001 |
| Female | 20.0 (0.2) | 19.2 (0.2) | 0.001 |
| Frailty index, mean (SE) | 0.17 (0.004) | 0.22 (0.003) | <0.001 |
Notes: Continuous variables (age, number of teeth, number of carious teeth, protein intake, grip strength, frailty index) were compared using general linear model analysis in a complex sample analysis method. Discrete variables (Sex, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular disease, periodontal disease) were compared using crosstabs analysis in a complex sample analysis method.
Abbreviations: SE, standard error; MI, myocardial infarction.