Longitudinal measurement invariance in prospective oral health-related quality of life assessment

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life from Young Adulthood to Mid-Life

Quality of life varies with time, often worsening, and is affected by circumstances, events, and exposures at different stages of life. Little is known about how oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) changes during middle age. We investigated OHRQoL changes from age 32 to 45 years among participants in a population-based birth cohort, along with clinical and socio-behavioural associations. Generalised estimating equation models were used to investigate the association between OHRQoL (assessed at ages 32, 38, and 45 years; n = 844), and the socioeconomic position in childhood (up to age 15 years) and adulthood (ages 26 through to 45 years), dental self-care (dental services utilisation and tooth brushing), oral conditions (such as tooth loss), and experiencing a dry mouth. The multivariable analyses were controlled for sex and personality traits. At each stage of life, those of a lower socioeconomic status were at greater risk of experiencing OHRQoL impacts. Those who engaged in favourable dental self-care habits (the regular use of dental services and at least twice daily tooth brushing) experienced fewer impacts. A social disadvantage at any stage of life has enduring deleterious effects on one's quality of life in middle age. Ensuring access to timely and appropriate dental health services in adulthood may reduce the impacts of oral conditions on one's quality of life.

Psychometric properties and longitudinal measurement invariance of the Brazilian version of the subjective happiness scale in adolescents

BACKGROUND

Happiness is a subjective construct. Validation studies to confirm validity and reliability of happiness measures are needed to verify its applicability in research and clinical fields.

AIM

The aim of this study was to test the psychometric properties and longitudinal measurement invariance (MI) of the subjective happiness scale (SHS) in adolescents.

METHODS

A longitudinal study was conducted with a random sample of 1134 12-year-old adolescents from Santa Maria, a southern city in Brazil, starting in 2012. Two years later, 746 adolescents were reassessed, with an average age of 14. The Brazilian version of the SHS, which is composed of 4 items, was administered by a face-to-face interview. Reliability (Cronbach's alpha), reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient - ICC), discriminant validity, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), convergent validity, and MI were performed through the multigroup CFA. Socioeconomic, clinical, and subjective variables were also collected through clinical examinations and structured questionnaires by calibrated and trained dentists.

RESULTS

Cronbach's alpha and ICC results were moderate (0.51 and 0.70, respectively). The scale was able to discriminate subjective happiness between different oral health groups and socioeconomic status. The CFA revealed a good fit model in both collections, confirming the validity of the scale. Convergent validity was satisfactory, demonstrating that the SHS is similar in theoretical concepts with a subjective scale. Moreover, MI showed a goodness-of-fit statistics across time points.

CONCLUSION

The Brazilian version of SHS showed adequate validation properties and longitudinal measurement among adolescents.

RELEVANCE FOR PATIENTS

These findings are important for studies that evaluate happiness and oral disorders, through cross-section and longitudinal studies.

Psychometric Characteristics of the Croatian and the Serbian Versions of the Oral Health Impact Profile for Edentulous Subjects, with a Pilot Study on the Dimensionality

Introduction

The aim was to adapt the Croatian and the Serbian versions of the Oral Health Impact Profile for the edentulous population (OHIP-EDENT-CRO and OHIP-EDENT-SRB).

Methods

The translation and cross-cultural adaptation were carried out in accordance with accepted international standards. A total of 95 and 177 removable denture wearers were recruited in Croatia and Serbia respectively. The reliability was evaluated by calculating Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and by test-retest (30 participants in each country). The concurrent validity was determined by calculating the Spearman’s rank coefficient between the OHIP-EDENT summary scores and one question related to removable denture satisfaction. Construct validity was determined by exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Responsiveness was determined by comparison of the OHIP-EDENT summary scores before and after dental implant placement to support mandibular overdentures (23 patients in Croatia, 21 in Serbia).

Results

Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.92 in Croatia and 0.87 in Serbia. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.98 in Croatia and 0.94 in Serbia. In Croatia the Spearman’s correlation coefficient was -0.71 (p<0.001) and in Serbia -0.74 (p<0.001). Both confirmed concurrent validity. Construct validity was tested by EFA, which extracted four factors in each country, accounting for 66.59% of the variance in Croatia and 59.33% in Serbia. Responsiveness was confirmed in both countries by a significant OHIP-EDENT summary score reduction and a high standardised effect size (3.9 in Croatia, 1.53 in Serbia).

Conclusion

The results prove that both instruments, the OHIP-EDENT-CRO and the OHIP-EDENT-SRB, have very good psychometric properties for assessing OHRQoL in the edentulous population.

Oral health related quality of life and self-esteem in a general population

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The interest in the research of both Oral Health Related Quality Of Life and dental aesthetics has increased in the recent years. The aim of the current study consists in the evaluation of the perception of oral-health, dental aesthetics and self-esteem in a general population.

METHODS

A group of students of the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, were trained in the field of questionnaire interviewing. The students were asked to apply the following questionnaires to a number of maximum five close persons: the OHIP-14Aesthetic questionnaire, the Rosenberg self-esteem scale and a questionnaire evaluating demographic data. Each interviewed subject provided informed consent. The sample included 97 subjects with an age range of 18-75 years. For each of the three applied questionnaires overall scores were computed and used for the calculation of Pearson correlations and inferential statistical procedures: the t-test.

RESULTS

Related to the complete sample (N=97), the highest OHIP-14Aesthetic scores were obtained for the functional limitation (mean score of 2.22), physical pain (mean score of 2.72) and psychological discomfort (mean score of 1.37) subscales. The highest Rosenberg self-esteem scale scores were obtained for the following questions: "I think I am no good at all" (mean score of 3.50), "feel useless at times" (mean score of 3.53), "inclined to feel that I am a failure" (mean score 3.77), "positive attitude toward myself" (mean score of 3.50). Statistically significant correlations were registered between the overall Rosenberg self-esteem scale score and the scores of the following OHIP-14Aesthetic subscales: psychological discomfort (r = -0.201, p = 0.49), physical disability (r = -0.219, p = 0.031), psychological disability (r = -0.218, p = 0.032), social disability (r = -0.203, p = 0.046). The t-test revealed statistically significant gender differences, in regard to the OHIP-14Aesthetic overall score t(95) = -2.820, p = 0.006.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study indicates the existence of statistically significant gender differences in the perception of oral health and a series of dental aesthetics elements in a general population. Moreover, statistically significant correlations were obtained between the perception of oral health and the perception of self-esteem.

Comparison of Three Prosthodontic Treatment Modalities for Patients with Periodontally Compromised Anterior Mandibular Teeth: A 2-year follow-up study

OBJECTIVES

To prospectively assess self-perceived chewing function (CF) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in geriatric patients after receiving three different treatment modalities in the mandible: removable partial denture (CD-RPD), complete denture (CDs), or complete overdenture supported by mini dental implants (CD-MDI). At baseline, all patients had mobile anterior teeth (1 mm or >) and missing posterior teeth in the mandible. Patients were completely edentulous in the maxilla. After treatment, patients were recalled at the 3-month and the 2-year post-treatment period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 176 patients participated (CD group, n=68; CD-RPD group, n=58; CD-MDI group, n=50). Self-reported CF was assessed using the Chewing Function questionnaire (CFQ), The OHRQoL was evaluated using the OHIP14 questionnaire, which the patients completed 1. before treatment, 2. three months after treatment, and 3. at the 2-year post-treatment stage.

RESULTS

The OHRQoL and the self-perceived CF significantly improved in all groups after treatment (p<0.01). The highest improvement of a CF was recorded in the CD-MDI group. The OHRQoL was significantly higher in the CD-MDI group in comparison to the CDs group after treatment (p<0.01). At the 2-year post-treatment stage, self-perceived CF significantly further improved in the CD-MDI group, while it worsened in the CD and the CD-RPD groups (p<0.01). The same pattern was recorded for the OHIP14 summary scores. The highest amount of denture repairs and adjustments was recorded in the CD-RPD group, although maintenance was also demanding in the CD-MDI group.

CONCLUSION

Within the limitations of this study, rehabilitation with mandibular MDI retained overdenture can be considered as preferred treatment with the constant improvement of OHRQoL and a chewing function in comparison to mandibular CD or mandibular RPD option in patients with mobile anterior mandibular teeth.

The Impact of Replacement Conventional Dentures on Eating Experience

Introduction:

Despite much research on the impact of edentulism and prosthetic rehabilitation on food and nutrient intake, there is little information on how replacing complete dentures affects social and emotional issues around eating.

Objectives:

To investigate, in a cohort study, how replacing conventional complete dentures affects eating-related quality of life (ERQoL). A secondary aim was to test the responsiveness of an Emotional and Social Issues Related to Eating (ESIRE) questionnaire to change in ERQoL.

Methods:

Participants, recruited from the Dental Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK, completed the self-administrated ESIRE questionnaire before and after provision of new conventional complete dentures. Paired t test was used to determine any change between pre- and posttreatment ESIRE scores, which can range from 0 (poor) to 100 (excellent). Cohen’s d effect size was used to measure the magnitude of change in ERQoL. Standardized response mean (SRM) was used to measure the responsiveness of the ESIRE questionnaire to changes in ERQoL.

Results:

Fifty-five participants aged 52 to 85 y (mean, 72 y), including 21 males (42%) and 29 females (58%), completed the study. A statistically significant improvement in the total ESIRE scores was found, mean (SE) +20.3 (3.30), P < 0.001. Equally, all domains of the ESIRE questionnaire showed significant improvements: enjoyment of food/eating, +27.3 (3.63), P < 0.001; self-consciousness/embarrassment, +18.1 (3.88), P < 0.001; interruption to meals, +13.3 (5.27), P < 0.05; confidence when eating, +18.7 (4.84), P < 0.001; time for eating/preparation of meals, +18.5 (4.85), P < 0.001); and functional ability to eat, +18.2 (3.67), P < 0.001). Cohen’s d was large (0.95) for the total score and ranged from medium (0.37) to large (1.30) for all domains. Value of SRM was large (0.87) for the total score and ranged from medium (0.36) to large (1.1) for all domains.

Conclusion:

Denture replacement can directly improve ERQoL. The ESIRE questionnaire was responsive to clinically important changes in ERQoL.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

The results of this study improve the understanding of the impact of denture replacement on eating-related quality of life (ERQoL). Clinicians are encouraged to pay more attention to the impact of wearing conventional complete dentures on social and emotional issues around eating. The findings should motivate clinicians and inspire specialists in prosthodontics and oral rehabilitation to continue providing conventional complete dentures as a suitable treatment option for edentulous patients.

Long-term changes in oral health-related quality of life over a period of 5 years in patients treated with narrow diameter implants: A prospective clinical study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess long-term changes in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) over a period of 5 years in patients treated with narrow diameter implants (NDI) in the mandible for support of an overdenture.

METHODS

In this prospective clinical study, a consecutive sample of 20 edentulous patients who had worn sufficient complete dentures for at least 12 weeks was provided with four immediately loaded one-piece titanium NDIs in the mandible. The German 49-item version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) was applied to assess OHRQoL at baseline and all follow-ups (4 and 8 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months, and 3 and 5 years after treatment was finished).

RESULTS

Before treatment, OHRQoL was substantially impaired indicated by high OHIP summary score (39.9 points). Four weeks after treatment, a substantial treatment-induced drop of OHRQoL impairment was observed (21.8 OHIP points), and at all follow-ups, OHIP scores were lower than at baseline (15.9-26.5 OHIP points; ANOVA: p<.001). Based on mixed-effect linear regression analyses, the treatment-induced effect on OHRQoL improvement over the entire study period was statistically significant for the OHIP summary scores as well as for all four OHIP domains: Oral Function, Orofacial Pain, Orofacial Appearance, and Psychosocial Impact (all: p<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that four immediately loaded NDIs for the support of conventional complete dentures in edentulous patients with substantially impaired OHRQoL may lead to a long-lasting treatment-induced improvement in OHRQoL.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The provision of four NDI in the edentulous mandible is a promising treatment option for patients with substantial OHRQoL impairment and a positive attitude towards implant treatment. Furthermore, patients can be informed that improvements in OHRQoL are expected to last for at least 5 years.

Development, validity and reliability of the Orofacial Esthetic Scale - Spanish version

PURPOSE

To develop a Spanish version of the Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES-Sp) and to determine its psychometric properties in dental patients.

METHODS

We performed a validation study for OES development and validation into Spanish. In the development phase, eight individuals participated in the translation process (cross-cultural adaptation) following the PROMIS methodology. In the validation phase, 331 dental patients (age mean±sd: 42.9±12.3years, 59 % female) from the HealthPartners dental clinics in Minnesota, USA responded to a survey of Spanish speaking patients (n=540, response rate: 61 %). We first explored dimensionality by means of exploratory factor analysis and scree plot, and then we computed reliability measures with the Cronbach's alpha statistic. Finally, we assessed convergent validity by computing Pearson/Spearman rank correlations between OES-Sp and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-based orofacial appearance measures. All statistical procedures were performed using Stata v.13 for Windows (StataCorp).

RESULTS

Exploratory factor analysis provided evidence that a single factor represents the Spanish OES version. Score reliability was high with Cronbach's alpha statistic of 0.95 (lower limit of the 95 % CI: 0.94). Score validity was sufficient indicated by Pearson and Spearman rank correlations between -0.53 and -0.69 (all 95 % confidence intervals: less than ± 0.10).

CONCLUSIONS

OES is a valuable instrument to measure the orofacial appearance construct for Spanish-speaking populations. OES was concluded to be unidimensional with excellent score reliability and sufficient convergent score validity when compared with other Orofacial Appearance measures. Our results suggest that OES could be used in Spanish-speaking patients, an important and growing population around the globe.

Using classification and regression tree modelling to investigate response shift patterns in dentine hypersensitivity

Background

Dentine hypersensitivity (DH) affects people’s quality of life (QoL). However changes in the internal meaning of QoL, known as Response shift (RS) may undermine longitudinal assessment of QoL. This study aimed to describe patterns of RS in people with DH using Classification and Regression Trees (CRT) and to explore the convergent validity of CRT with the then-test and ideals approaches.

Methods

Data from an 8-week clinical trial of mouthwashes for dentine hypersensitivity (n = 75) using the Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire (DHEQ) as the outcome measure, were analysed. CRT was used to examine 8-week changes in DHEQ total score as a dependent variable with clinical status for DH and each DHEQ subscale score (restrictions, coping, social, emotional and identity) as independent variables. Recalibration was inferred when the clinical change was not consistent with the DHEQ change score using a minimally important difference for DHEQ of 22 points. Reprioritization was inferred by changes in the relative importance of each subscale to the model over time.

Results

Overall, 50.7% of participants experienced a clinical improvement in their DH after treatment and 22.7% experienced an important improvement in their quality of life. Thirty-six per cent shifted their internal standards downward and 14.7% upwards, suggesting recalibration. Reprioritization occurred over time among the social and emotional impacts of DH.

Conclusions

CRT was a useful method to reveal both, the types and nature of RS in people with a mild health condition and demonstrated convergent validity with design based approaches to detect RS.