Journal of Korean Society of Dental Hygiene (J Korean Soc Dent Hyg)
Original Article

Factors influencing quality of life among older adults in Korea: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 6th–9th (2016–2024)

Department of Dental Technology, Kyungdong University

Correspondence to Hye-Sook Choi, Department of Dental Technology, Kyungdong University, 815 Gyeonhwon-ro, Munmak-eup, Wonjusi, Gangwon-do, 26495, Korea. Tel: +82-33-738-1304, Fax: +82-33-738-1209, E-mail: chs@kduniv.ac.kr

Volume 26, Number 1, Pages 117–28, February 2026.
J Korean Soc Dent Hyg 2026;26(1):117–28. https://doi.org/10.13065/jksdh.2026.26.1.13
Received on January 14, 2026, Revised on February 02, 2026, Accepted on February 02, 2026, Published on February 28, 2026.
Copyright © 2026 Journal of Korean Society of Dental Hygiene.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0).

Abstract

Objectives: We analyzed factors impacting health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Korean older adults, as measured by the EuroQol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), and compared trends over time. Methods: Data were obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Using data collected every four years from 2016 to 2024, we examined factors associated with older adults’ quality of life during each survey period. Participants were aged 65 years or older, with a sample size of 1,578 in 2016, 1,681 in 2020, and 1,951 in 2024. Complex sample logistic regression was used for statistical analyses. Results: Spanning the survey periods, sex and activity limitations consistently emerged as significant determinants of HRQoL. In 2016 and 2024, economic activity, stress, and unmet dental care were also significant factors, whereas in 2020, smoking and chewing discomfort were significant. Conclusions: HRQoL in older adults is influenced by interactions between structural factors (sex and activity limitations) and environmental and behavioral factors (economic activity, mental health, and oral health). Issues related to dental care access, such as unmet dental treatment needs, exert long-term impacts on quality of life, underscoring the need for integrated elderly health policies and early interventions to support health management.

Keywords

Aged, Dental care, Nutrition survey, Oral health, Quality of life

Section