Oral function and cumulative long-term care costs among older Japanese adults: a prospective 6-year follow-up study of long care receipt data

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study evaluated the relationship between status of oral function and related long-term care service costs.DesignThis was a prospective 6-year follow-up study of previous survey data.SettingThe data were obtained from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study conducted between 2010 and 2011.ParticipantsThe participants were functionally independent older adults in 12 municipalities across Japan.InterventionsCare service benefit costs were tracked over 6 years using publicly available claims records (n=46 616) to monitor respondents’ cumulative care costs.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome variable was the cumulative cost of long-term care insurance services during the follow-up period. We adjusted for the presence or absence of oral function problems, age, sex, physical function and socioeconomic and lifestyle background at the time of the baseline survey.ResultsTobit analysis revealed that, compared with those with no oral function problems, cumulative long-term care service benefit costs for those with one, two or three oral function problems were approximately US$4020, US$4775 and US$82 92, respectively, over 6 years. Compared with those with maintained oral function, there was a maximum difference of approximately US$8292 in long-term care service costs for those with oral function problems. With increase in number of oral function problems, there was a concomitant elevation in the cost of long-term care.ConclusionsOral function in older people was associated with cumulative long-term care insurance costs. The oral function of older people should be maintained to reduce future accumulated long-term care insurance costs. Compared with those with maintained oral function, there was a maximum difference of approximately US$8292 in long-term care service costs for those with oral function problems. The cost of long-term care was amplified as oral problems increased.