Personality traits and income inequalities in self-rated oral and general health

Association between oral health-related quality of life and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder among older adults: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the association between oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and self-reported symptoms of TMD.

METHODS

Representative samples of older adults (≥60 years) were included (n = 569). Both TMD symptoms and OHRQoL were assessed by Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI) and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), respectively. Prevalence (those answering "frequently" or "always" in at least one question), severity (total means scores), and extent (number of questions answered as "frequently" or "always") of OHRQoL were estimated.

RESULTS

Overall, 33.4% and 9.5% had mild or moderate/severe TMD symptoms. Those with any symptom of TMD had a prevalence ratio (PR) 38% higher for the worst OHRQoL (95% confidence interval [95%CI]:1.04-1.82) compared to those without TMD symptoms. Worst OHRQoL were observed for those with mild (PR:1.35; 95%CI:1.01-1.81) and moderate/severe TMD (PR:1.53; 95%CI:1.04-2.26). Similar results were detected in the severity and extent of OHRQoL.

CONCLUSION

Severity TMD was associated with worse ORHQoL.

Effect of personality traits on socioeconomic inequalities in health, a population-based study

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to estimate the effects of positive personality traits (PTs) in income and self-rated dental and general health (SRDH and SRGH) associations in a large South Australian sample.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analyses were conducted using self-reported data collected from 3578 adults (2015-2016). Multivariable regression models assessed the main effects and interactions of the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI) and income with SRDH and SRGH. Prevalence ratios (PR) of poor health ratings were estimated using Poisson regression.

RESULTS

Among all respondents, high-income individuals with stronger Conscientiousness scores had the lowest prevalence of poor SRGH (0.8%), while those with stronger Extraversion (2.9%) and Agreeableness scores (3.4%) had the lowest prevalence of poor SRDH. Poor SRGH was related to weak Conscientiousness (PR = 6.9, 95% CI [2.3-20.8]) and Emotional Stability scores (PR = 6.0, 95% CI [2.0-18.3]), while poor SRDH was associated with weak Extraversion (PR = 2.3, 95% CI [1.2-4.5]), Agreeableness (PR = 1.8, 95% CI [1.0-3.2]) and Conscientiousness scores (PR = 2.1, 95% CI [1.1-4.0]). Among low-income people, poor health ratings were less prevalent in those with stronger positive PTs scores versus weaker scores. Among low-income respondents, poor SRGH was lower in individuals with stronger versus weaker Conscientiousness scores (10.9% vs 16.2%), and poor SRDH showed lower prevalence in participants with stronger versus weaker Agreeableness scores (18.1% vs 22.6%).

CONCLUSION

Findings showed the association between PTs and the prevalence of poor SRDH and SRGH. Stronger positive PTs modified the self-rated health inequalities associated with low income in a representative sample of the South Australian population.