Oral health-related quality-of-life and mental health in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between oral health, oral health-related quality-of-life (OHRQoL) and mental health-related quality-of-life (QoL) in persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with respect to demographic, social and clinical oral health variables.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred participants were included in a cross-sectional study at a hospital in Norway. Data were collected via the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), the SF-36v2 Health Survey Mental Component (MCS), other self-reported factors, an interview and a clinical examination. Multiple regression analyses were performed. The Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics approved the study. RESULTS. Higher education (p < 0.01), being a smoker (p < 0.05) and experience of oral health problems (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with oral health-related quality-of-life (OHRQoL). Furthermore, those with feelings of dry mouth (p < 0.05) and impaired OHRQoL (p < 0.001) experienced more mental health problems.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that oral health and personal factors are related to mental health-related QoL and OHRQoL in individuals with COPD. This finding shows the need to focus on oral care.

Oral health-related quality of life in partially edentulous patients before and after implant therapy: a 2-year longitudinal study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to measure the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) before and after a prosthodontic implant therapy so to determine the physical and psychological impact of implant-supported fixed partial dentures (IFPD) rehabilitation among edentulous patients.

METHODS

50 partially edentulous patients aged 40-70 years, treated with IFPD, completed the OHRQoL questionnaire before the implant surgery (Time 0) and 2 years after their whole implant-prosthetic rehabilitation (Time 1). The questionnaire was proposed in a short version of Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14, range 0-56) and analyzed through the 'additive method'. We evaluated statistical mean, standard deviation, median, variance and mode of all OHIP-14 domains and the statistical significance about oral changes at Time 0 and Time 1 using the Chi-square test (p-values < 0.05).

RESULTS

Patients reported significant changes in mean OHIP scores (Time 0: 2.15; Time 1: 0.65; p < 0.01). The most prevalently affected domain was "functional limitation", followed by "psychological discomfort" and "physical pain". There were no significant differences dependent on age, gender and antagonistic teeth (p > 0.05). Patients with I and IV Kennedy's class edentulism showed better improvement (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative and post-treatment assessments of OHRQoL exhibited significant differences. The IFPD treatment had a positive effect on the OHRQoL, which improved better in patients with I and IV Kennedy's edentulous class.

Psychosocial aspects of temporomandibular disorders and oral health-related quality-of-life

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between psychosocial aspects of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and oral health-related quality-of-life (OHRQoL) and, secondly, to investigate the gender differences in these associations using patient and non-patient groups.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The sample of the study consisted of 79 patients with TMD and 70 non-patients. The data was collected by Finnish versions of the RDC/TMD Axis II profile and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaires. The associations between Axis II profile sub-scales and OHIP prevalence were evaluated using chi-square tests, as stratified by group status (TMD patients and non-patient controls) and by gender. The association between OHIP prevalence and Axis II profile sub-scales were evaluated using logistic regression analysis, adjusted by age, gender and group.

RESULTS

OHIP prevalence (those reporting at least one problem) was 90.9% in the patient group and 33.3% in the non-patient group (p < 0.001, chi-squared test). OHIP prevalence was higher among those scoring higher on all RDC/TMD Axis II profile sub-scales, i.e. graded chronic pain status, depression and non-specific physical symptoms with pain items included and with pain items excluded. The associations were significant in the non-patient group. Women showed statistically significant associations of OHIP prevalence with all Axis II sub-scales. Among men, OHIP prevalence associated with GCPS and somatization. The logistic regression analysis showed that OHIP prevalence associated significantly with somatization and depression.

CONCLUSIONS

TMD associate with OHRQoL through multiple ways, linked with depression and somatization. These findings emphasize the importance of early and effective treatment of TMD.