Development and Validation of Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Scale for Patients Undergoing Endodontic Treatment (OHQE) for Irreversible Pulpitis

Abstract

An oral health-related quality of life measure specific to patients undergoing endodontic treatment has not been developed. This study aimed to validate the oral health-related quality of life scale for patients undergoing endodontic treatment (OHQE) for irreversible pulpitis, comprised of 42 questions. Sixty-two patients with irreversible pulpitis, comprising 23 (37.1%) males and 39 (62.9%) females, were enrolled between August 2022 and February 2023. Data were collected at three time points: pretreatment, post-treatment, and at the second week post-treatment. Factor analysis revealed physical, psychological, and expectations as subscales of OHQE. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranged from 0.87 to 0.95 for each subscale. Each subscale of the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) was moderately correlated with the OHQE subscales. Good–poor analysis revealed a significant difference between the high-scoring and low-scoring groups for each OHQE subscale. The intraclass correlation coefficients of the OHQE subscales ranged from 0.89 to 0.95. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between the pretreatment and post-treatment psychological factors (p < 0.05). Thus, OHQE will help researchers and policymakers understand the impact of oral health on the quality of life of patients with irreversible pulpitis undergoing endodontic treatment. OHQE could contribute to the appropriate planning, treatment decisions, and management of dental treatment.