Oral impacts on daily performances: associations with self-reported general health and medication.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of general diseases and medication on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in a Swedish adult population using the Swedish version of Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP).


METHODS
A three-site sample of 200 adults (20-86 years; participation rate 70%) was interviewed using the OIDP, and a medical anamnesis was performed in 2006-7. A self-reported questionnaire provided complementary socio-economic data.


RESULTS
The burden of medical diagnoses and medications was greatest among the older participants in the study. The mean number of medicines in regular users was: ≥60 years, 3.6 (SD 2.6); 40-59 years, 1.9 (SD 1.5); and 20-40 years, 1.9 (SD 1.8) (p =0.013). There were no gender differences in general health or medication variables. Self-reported health, medical diagnoses and medication were significantly and consistently associated with the OIDP score: subjects with ≥1 diagnosis, OR 2.22 (95% CI 1.19-4.14) and subjects with ≥1 medicines, OR 1.85 (95% CI 1.01-3.40) versus those without diagnoses or medication. However, there was a clear gradient: OIDP scores increased with increasing numbers of diagnoses and medicines.


CONCLUSIONS
The Swedish version of the OIDP was found useful for measuring impacts of general health and medication on OHRQoL. Dental care should pay special attention to patients with medical conditions or who are on medication, because these patients are more likely to experience oral impacts on daily performances.
Ostberg
Anna-Lena
AL
Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden. anna-lena.ostberg@kau.se
Andersson
Pia
P
Hakeberg
Magnus
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004358:Drug Therapy; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D011788:Quality of Life; D057566:Self Report; D012907:Smoking; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless; D055815:Young Adult