Association between oral health and frailty among older cancer patients: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Purpose The association between oral health and frailty in older cancer patients has not been examined. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between oral health and frailty among older cancer patients based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2021–2023. Methods 615 eligible cancer patients aged ≥ 60 years from the cross-sectional study NHANES 2021–2023. Frailty was measured using a 38-item frailty index. Oral health was measured using a seven-item questionnaire provided by NHANES. Weighted logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between oral health and frailty. Subgroup analysis was used to examine the difference in the association between the oral health predictors and frailty across covariates groups. Results The weighted proportion of older cancer patients with frailty was 47.8%. Worse overall oral health was significantly associated with frailty (OR = 1.13, 95%CI: 1.07, 1.19). Specifically, frailty risk was higher among older cancer patients with worse health in teeth and gums, frequent oral pain, oral-related depression, dietary restrictions, oral-related eating limitations, social embarrassment, and working restrictions (ORs ranging from 1.82 to 5.00). Subgroup analysis identified that males, single/divorced/widowed individuals, those with lower education levels, and smokers showed an elevated risk of frailty relative to specific oral health predictors. Conclusion This study demonstrated the association between poor oral health and frailty among older cancer patients. Further longitudinal and interventional studies are warranted to explore the potential utility of routine oral health assessments in identifying frailty risk and informing targeted management strategies in older cancer patients.