Handgrip Strength Increase is Modulated by the Risk of Malnutrition After Dental Prostheses

Background: A common goal of the health professions is to maintain the functional ability of the elderly, thereby preventing sarcopenia and frailty. Maintaining natural dentition or using Removable Partial Dentures (RPDs) is crucial for maintaining masticatory functionality, ensuring proper nutrition and avoiding geriatric syndromes in the elderly population. Handgrip Strength (HGS) has been described as a predictor of geriatric syndromes. Aim: To assess changes in HGS in relation to malnutrition risk and masticatory function after using dental prosthetics. Materials and Methods: Pre-post prospective, quasi-experimental study. Between March 2020 and 2022, older adults aged 70-79 years who had no molars or premolars and signed informed consent were selected. According to the Eichner index, they were categorized by masticatory functionality and assessed for malnutrition risk using calf circumference. HGS measurements were taken at baseline, during dental prosthesis installation and 15 days later, using a manual hydraulic dynamometer. Differences in HGS were analyzed with a mixed linear regression model using SAS 9.4 software (p < 0.05). Results: 307 older adults with an average age of 75.3 years (±2.74), including 176 women and 131 men. No differences were found in baseline HGS between individuals with no risk (11.8 kg) and those at risk of malnutrition (11.7 kg) (p = 0.92). A significant increase in HGS was observed immediately after prosthesis installation in participants with no risk (13.1 kg) and at risk (12.4 kg) (p < 0.001). After 15 days, the HGS of patients with no risk increased to 14.3 kg and at risk to 12.9 kg (p < 0.001). In the sample, older adults with better masticatory function, as measured by the Eichner index, demonstrated significant improvements, with increased HGS in both those with no risk and those at risk of malnutrition (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The use of dental prostheses immediately increased the HGS, both at the time of installation and 15 days later, influenced by the risk of malnutrition and masticatory function.