关键词: 口腔衰弱, 老年人, 健康生态学模型, 影响因素, 潜在类别分析

Abstract: Objective: To identify distinct latent classes of oral frailty among community-dwelling elderly based on the Health Ecology Model and the influencing factors were explored to provide a preference for developing prevention and intervention measures for oral frailty in the elderly. Methods: Between August and December 2024, the survey was conducted in the elderly with a general information questionnaire, the Oral Frailty Index-8 (OFI-8), and the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) using convenience sampling. Latent class analysis (LCA) was performed using Mplus 8.3. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted using SPSS 26.0 to identify factors associated with latent class membership. Results: The mean score of OFI-8 was 3.88±2.40. Based on these scores, 164 (49.55%), 69 (20.84%), and 98 (29.61%) participants were categorized into high-risk, medium-risk, and low-risk groups, respectively. The LCA revealed significant heterogeneity, defining two latent profiles (a "Co-occurring Oral Function Deterioration and Poor Self-care Behaviors" profile and a "Synergistic Oral Function Preservation and Good Self-care Behaviors" profile). Oral diseases, malnutrition, and enrollment in resident basic medical insurance (as opposed to employee insurance) were significant risk factors for oral frailty in the elderly (P<0.05). Higher educational attainment and average monthly household income were significant protective factors for oral frailty in the elderly (P<0.05). Conclusion: The risk of oral frailty among community-dwelling older adults is considerable, with distinct profiles shaped by multi-level factors. Future interventions should adopt an integrated approach, addressing individual health, socio-economic conditions, and policy environments to effectively mitigate this risk.

Key words: Oral frailty, Elderly , Health ecology model, Influencing factors, Latent class analysis