Relationship between Oral Health and Risk of Falls in Elderly Hemodialysis Patients

  Background and purpose: Poor oral hygiene and falls are common problems that older people encounter. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between oral health and the risk of falls in the elderly hemodialysis patients. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 400 elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis in hospitals affiliated with Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences were selected by cluster sampling in 2019. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), and Morse Fall Scale (MFS) which were completed by one of the researchers. Data were analyzed in SPSS V21 applying Chi-square and Univariate and Multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The mean age of patients was 69.18 ± 6.42 years and 50.3% were women. The mean scores for oral health and risk of fall were 41.5 ± 5.3 and 72.15± 31.4, respectively (P<0.001). Univariate logistic regression model showed significant relationships between the risk of fall and the number of teeth (<10) and oral health score (<43.5) (P=0.031). In fact, these two groups were 1.44 times and 1.64 times more likely at risk of falls, respectively,  compared to those with number of teeth >10 and oral health score>43.5. Conclusion: Elderly hemodialysis patients with poor oral health are more prone to falling. It is suggested that in planning and implementing preventive measures, attention to oral health and dental visits should be on the agenda.