Demographic factors, denture status and oral health-related quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the association between denture status, demographic factors, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL).


METHODS
OHRQoL was measured using the German version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-G, 53 items), which was administered in a personal interview to 2050 subjects (60% of eligible subjects responded) 16-79 years of age in a national survey. Median regression was used to analyze the influence of denture status (no, removable, complete dentures), age, gender, education (less than 10 years of schooling, 10-12 years, more than 12 years), and residential area (rural, urban) on the OHIP-G summary score.


RESULTS
In bivariable analyses, compared to the base category, the OHIP-G median increased 8.0 U for subjects with removable dentures, 20.0 U for subjects with complete dentures, 1.7 U for each 10-year age period, 2.0 U for men, 3.0 U for less than 10 years of schooling (compared to > or =10 years.), and 1.0 U for urban areas (P < 0.05 for all effects except for residential area). In the multivariable analysis, compared to subjects without dentures, subjects with removable dentures had a 7.5 (95% CI: 5.2-9.8) higher OHIP-G median and subjects with complete dentures had a 18.5 (95% CI: 14.7-22.4) higher median when demographic variables were controlled. No demographic variables were statistically significant except for residential area (P = 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Denture status was a stronger predictor for impaired OHRQoL than demographic variables and rendered age and education almost negligible in their influence on OHRQoL.
John
Mike T
MT
Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Leipzig, Germany. mike.john@medizin.uni-leipig.de
Koepsell
Thomas D
TD
Hujoel
Philippe
P
Miglioretti
Diana L
DL
LeResche
Linda
L
Micheelis
Wolfgang
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003778:Dentures / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000523:psychology*