Latent class analysis of oral frailty among community-dwelling older adults: functional profiles and associated factors.
Li Yulian Y, Zhu Qian Q, Zheng Feng F, Guo Jialing J et al.
Oral frailty, characterized by multidimensional declines in oral function, perception, and behavior, has emerged as an important concern in geriatric oral health. However, population heterogeneity in oral frailty among community-dwelling older adults remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to identify latent oral frailty subtypes using latent class analysis (LCA) and to examine factors associated with class membership. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 252 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 60 years in Fujian Province, China. Oral frailty was assessed using the Oral Frailty Index (OFI-8). Latent class analysis(LCA) was applied to item-level OFI-8 responses to identify oral frailty subgroups. Multivariable multinomial logistic regression was used to examine sociodemographic, behavioral, nutritional, and psychosocial factors associated with latent class membership. Latent class analysis identified three distinct oral frailty classes based on item-level OFI-8 responses: Severe Multidomain Oral Frailty (17.0%), Masticatory-Dryness Impairment (42.1%), and Minimal Oral Deficits/Preserved Function (41.3%). Multinomial logistic regression showed that older age, current smoking, poorer oral health-related quality of life (lower GOHAI scores), lower oral health self-efficacy, and poorer nutritional status (lower MNA scores) were independently associated with membership in more severe oral frailty classes. Compared with the Minimal Oral Deficits/Preserved Function class, never smokers had significantly lower odds of membership in the Severe Multidomain Oral Frailty and Masticatory-Dryness Impairment classes. Chronic conditions were more prevalent in more severe classes in univariate analyses but were not independently associated with class membership after multivariable adjustment. Substantial heterogeneity in oral frailty exists among community-dwelling older adults. The identified latent classes represent distinct oral functional profiles with differing associated risk patterns, underscoring the importance of class-specific prevention and intervention strategies. Early identification of individuals with masticatory and dryness-related impairments may provide an opportunity for timely intervention in individuals at greater risk of severe oral functional impairment.