title: Oral health status and health-related quality of life: a systematic review.
abstract: This study was conducted in order to identify the literature on oral health status and health-related QOL, review the findings systematically, and assess the association between them. We performed a literature search of reports published between January 1973 and June 2004, using five databases including MEDLINE. Only studies that used validated generic health-related QOL instruments were selected. The reviewers evaluated selected articles independently and resolved disagreements by consensus. A total of 1,726 articles were retrieved and seven were selected for the review; five observational studies and two intervention studies. Four studies showed significant associations between oral health status and health-related QOL. Temporomandibular disorders were highly associated with reduced health-related QOL. Poor oral status linked to both craniomandibular and cervical spinal pain was associated with increased impairment of health-related QOL. Dissatisfaction with the teeth and mouth, and a sensation of dry mouth contributed to reduce health-related QOL. Providing edentulous patients with implant-supported full dentures contributed to improve health-related QOL. Assessment of health-related QOL in relation to oral health with validated instruments remains insufficient. The present findings suggest that oral health status could affect health-related QOL in some settings; however, further evidence is needed to support this interpretation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine/Biostatistics and Medical Decision Making, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan. mnaito@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Mariko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naito
authors.forename: Hidemichi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yuasa
authors.forename: Yoshiaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nomura
authors.forename: Takeo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hamajima
authors.forename: Nobuhiro
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hanada
mesh_terms: D017271:Craniomandibular Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000523:psychology; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000523:psychology; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000523:psychology*; D009909:Oral Health; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life