Trypsin-Like Activity in Oral Cavity Is Associated with Risk of Fever Onset in Older Residents of Nursing Homes: An 8-Month Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Pilot Study

This study aimed to evaluate the association between trypsin-like activity in the oral cavity and the onset of fever in independent older residents of nursing homes. Independent older residents aged >= 65 years in 10 nursing homes were included in this study, which was conducted in Kitakyushu, Japan. For 8 months, follow-up dates on which the body temperatures of participants were more than 37.2 degrees C were noted. Trypsin-like activity in the oral cavity was detected by ADCHECK(R) with five-grade evaluation at baseline. Data from 53 independent participants with median age 89.0 (67-102) years were available for analysis. ADCHECK(R) scores were associated with fever days (r = 0.312, p = 0.029). The average periods until the onset of fever in participants with ADCHECK(R) Scores 1 and 2, Score 3, and Scores 4 and 5 were 6.6 +/- 0.5, 5.0 +/- 0.7, and 4.1 +/- 1.0 months, respectively. ADCHECK(R) Scores 4 and 5 signified a higher risk of fever compared to ADCHECK(R) Scores 1 and 2 (hazards ratio 5.9, 95% confidence interval 1.4-23.9, p = 0.013), adjusted for possible confounders. We concluded that trypsin-like activity in the oral cavity was associated with the risk of fever in independent older residents of nursing homes.

Automated summary

The study found that trypsin-like activity in the oral cavity is associated with the risk of fever in independent older residents of nursing homes, with ADCHECK(R) scores of 4 and 5 indicating a higher risk of fever.