부산지역 65세 이상 노인의 구강건강상태에 따른 구강건강 관련 삶의 질(OHIP-14)

Abstract

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the oral health status of elderly people and their oral health-related quality of life. Methods : The subjects were the elderly people over 65 years old in Busan. A total of 479 elderly people participated in the study from general hospital, two research institutes, eight dental clinics, six welfare institutions, sixteen senior centers, and three nursing homes. The oral health impact profile-14 (OHIP-14) was used in the routine dental checkups of the elderly people. Results : Those who had no oral symptoms had a better oral health-related quality of life. Among the subfactors of the OHIP-14, significant differences were shown in functional limitation(p=0.001), physical pain(p<0.001), emotional discomfort(p<0.001), physical disability(p=0.001), emotional disability (p=0.001), social disability(p=0.005), physical handicap(p=0.003) and total OHIP-14(p<0.001). Those who had 18 sound teeth(natural teeth) or more had a better oral health-related quality of life. Among the subfactors of the OHIP-14, significant differences were shown in functional limitation(p<0.001), physical pain(p=0.007), emotional discomfort(p=0.019), physical disability(p=0.018), Emotional disability(p=.032) and total OHIP-14 (p=0.006). Conclusions : The results revealed a close relationship between oral health status and oral health-related quality of life. The number of sound teeth(natural teeth) and frequency of toothbrushing had a more positive influence. Therefore oral health programs for the elderly people can preserve remaining teeth. Toothbrushing is the best way to improve the quality of life in the elderly people.