Objective:

To investigate the prevalence of oral frailty and identify its associated factors among elderly patients undergoing elective surgery, highlighting its significance for postoperative outcomes.

Approach:

Key Findings:

• The prevalence of oral frailty among elderly patients undergoing elective surgery was 43.0% (P < 0.05).
• Factors associated with oral frailty included age, female gender, frailty, reduced number of natural teeth, and preoperative cognitive dysfunction (all P < 0.05).

Interpretation:

Oral frailty is prevalent in elderly surgical patients and is linked to multiple risk factors that can impact postoperative recovery and overall health, necessitating targeted interventions.

Limitations:

• The study was conducted in a single tertiary hospital, which may limit generalizability.
• Data was collected from a specific timeframe, potentially affecting the relevance of findings over time.
• Potential biases in data collection methods may influence the results.

Conclusion:

High prevalence of oral frailty in elderly surgical patients necessitates preventive management measures, such as targeted oral health interventions, to enhance postoperative recovery.

Attribution Notice

This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.