Influencing factors of oral frailty in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes in China: A cross- sectional study based on the integral model of frailty

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the current status and influencing factors of oral frailty in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus to inform the development of oral management programs in this population. Methods A total of 431 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who visited two tertiary public hospitals in Nanchong City from March 2024 to October 2024 were enrolled in this study. The General Information Questionnaire, Oral Frailty Index-8 (OFI-8), Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT), Eating Assessment Questionnaire Tool-10 (EAT-10), Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-5), and Geriatric Self Efficacy Scale for Oral Health Scale (GSEOH) were used to investigate and assess the factors related to oral frailty. Results The prevalence of oral frailty in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes was 32.95% (142/431). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that advanced age(OR = 1.098, 95% CI: 1.054 ~ 1.146), HbA1c ≥ 7%(OR = 3.745, 95% CI: 1.203–12.647), dysphagia(OR = 8.401, 95% CI: 2.276–43.846), and poor oral health status (OR = 2.213, 95% CI: 1.134–4.394 ) were risk factors of oral frailty, and the number of remaining teeth ≥ 20(OR = 0.105, 95% CI: 0.046–0.217) and high oral health-related self-efficacy(OR = 0.934, 95% CI: 0.898–0.970) were protective factors against oral frailty ( P  < 0.05). Conclusions The main factors affecting oral frailty in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus include age, HbA1c, dysphagia, poor oral health status, number of remaining teeth, and oral health-related self-efficacy. Healthcare professionals need to formulate targeted oral health management strategies based on relevant influencing factors and implement early interventions to help prevent and delay the onset and development of oral frailty.