Higher extracellular water/total body water ratio is associated with lower tongue and grip strength: A cross-sectional study.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between tongue factors (tongue strength and tongue volume), systemic factors (grip strength and walking speed), and the extracellular water/total body water ratio.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included community-dwelling adults. Body water composition and skeletal muscle mass index were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Moreover, tongue grip strength, tongue volume, occlusal support condition (Eichner classification), and walking speed were measured. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between the tongue and systemic factors as dependent variables and body water composition.
Results: We included 171 community-dwelling adults (62 men and 109 women) aged 70.0 years (interquartile range: 8). Tongue strength (r=-0.22, P=0.004) and grip strength (r=-0.39, P<0.001) were correlated with the extracellular water/total body water ratio. In multiple linear regression analysis, tongue strength was associated with the extracellular water/total body water ratio (β=-0.20, P=0.034), and grip strength was associated with the extracellular water/total body water ratio (β=-0.12, P=0.047), sex, body mass index, skeletal muscle mass index, and occlusal support condition.
Conclusions: A higher extracellular water/total body water ratio indicates lower tongue and grip strength. Dentists and dental hygienists should be aware of systemic factors present in patients with lower tongue and grip strength. These findings may lead to further medical investigations and diagnosis of other systemic diseases.