Cardoso, MónicaDiniz Freitas, MárcioVázquez, PaulaCerqueiro, SandraDiz Dios, PedroLimeres Posse, Jacobo2024-02-122024-02-122019Cardoso MG, Diniz-Freitas M, Vázquez P, Cerqueiro S, Diz P, Limeres J. Relationship between functional masticatory units and cognitive impairment in elderly persons. J Oral Rehabil. 2019; 46: 417–423. https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.127630305-182Xhttp://hdl.handle.net/10347/32781This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Cardoso MG, Diniz-Freitas M, Vázquez P, Cerqueiro S, Diz P, Limeres J. Relationship between functional masticatory units and cognitive impairment in elderly persons. J Oral Rehabil. 2019; 46: 417–423, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.12763. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibitedBackground: Studies on the elderly have reported that the risk of cognitive impairment is affected by chewing difficulty. Objective: To determine whether there is a relationship between the number of pairs of antagonist teeth that come into contact when the mouth is closed (functional masticatory units [FMUs]) and the level of cognitive impairment. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study with 502 institutionalised White individuals older than 65 years, living in the northwest of Spain and Portugal. Through a direct visual inspection, we recorded the number of FMUs. Cognitive impairment was assessed by applying the Mini-Cognitive Examination (MCE), a test derived from the Mini-Mental State Examination. To describe the statistical relationship between the FMUs and the MCE values, a generalised linear model (GLM) was applied. We assessed the GLM predictive capacity for detecting cognitive impairment (MCE ≤23) in a new study group consisting of 156 elderly individuals. Results: A large number of FMUs was significantly associated with a lower probability of cognitive impairment, regardless of the nature of the contact and its location (explained deviance, 30.1%). The model's discriminatory capacity for cognitive impairment based on the FMUs was “good” (0.820). The model's predictive capacity for cognitive impairment was “acceptable” (sensitivity, 0.786; positive predictive value, 0.900; accuracy, 0.729). Conclusion: In White, elderly institutionalised individuals, the absolute number of FMUs is significantly related to their MCE scores.eng© 2019 John Wiley & Sons LtdCognitive impairmentDementiaDental occlusionElderlyMini-mental state examinationjournal article10.1111/joor.127631365-2842open access