Oral frailty, a decline in oral function, is increasingly recognized as a marker of general frailty and adverse outcomes in older adults. However, nationwide data in Thailand are limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of oral frailty among community-dwelling older adults in Thailand and to explore demographic factors associated with the condition using the validated Thai version of the Oral Frailty Five-Item (OF-5) screening tool. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 507 adults aged ≥ 60 years, using proportional sampling from five major regions: North, Northeast, Central, South, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. Oral frailty was assessed using the OF-5 questionnaire, which includes five indicators: tooth loss, chewing difficulty, swallowing difficulty, dry mouth, and reduced articulatory oral motor skills. Participants scoring ≥ 2 were classified as having oral frailty. Logistic regression was performed to identify demographic factors associated with the condition. Overall, 63.5% of participants were classified as having oral frailty. Prevalence increased significantly with age, from 40.0% in those aged 60–65 to 79.4% in the 76–80 age group (p < 0.001). Sex and residential setting (urban/rural) were not significantly associated with oral frailty. However, regional differences were observed: participants from the Northern region had significantly higher odds of oral frailty compared to those from the Central region (OR = 2.45; 95% CI: 1.21–4.95; p = 0.013). Age was the strongest predictor of oral frailty, particularly in individuals aged 76–80 (OR = 5.81; 95% CI: 3.24–10.43; p < 0.001) and over 80 (OR = 4.85; 95% CI: 2.62–8.97; p < 0.001). This study reveals a high prevalence of oral frailty among older adults in Thailand, especially in advanced age groups. The findings highlight the need for region-specific and age-targeted oral health interventions. Incorporating validated tools like the OF-5 into community health programs may support early detection and prevention strategies for oral frailty.
Samnieng et al. (Thu,) studied this question.