Abstract
ObjectivesThe aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its relation to specific RA characteristics.Material and methodsWithin the oral examination, the need for dental (carious teeth showing cavitation) and periodontal treatment (presence of a probing depth ≥ 3.5 mm) and the number of missing teeth (M-T) were recorded. OHRQoL was assessed with the German short version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP G14). The disease activity score (DAS28-ESR), disease duration, number of swollen/painful joints and duration of morning stiffness were retrieved from the patient records.ResultsA total of 176 patients with a mean age of 62.5 ± 10.2 years were included. The overall OHIP G14 sum score was 5.4 ± 7.1. The M-T showed a significant correlation with the dimensions of oral function (r = 0.25, p = 0.001) and psychosocial impact (r = 0.20, p = 0.009) and the sum score (r = 0.26, p = 0.001). The DAS28-ESR showed a significant correlation with psychosocial impact (r = 0.19, p = 0.012) and the sum score (r = 0.16, p = 0.041). The duration of morning stiffness was correlated with oral function (r = 0.19, p = 0.019), psychosocial impact (r = 0.18, p = 0.024) and the sum score (r = 0.22, p = 0.006). The effect size of these correlations was interpreted as small.ConclusionDisease activity, morning stiffness and missing teeth are associated to OHRQoL of patients with RA. Accordingly, multidisciplinary dental care appears necessary for these patients.Clinical relevanceThe prevention of tooth loss as well as the consideration of psychosocial and disease-specific parameters in the multidisciplinary dental care of RA patients is necessary.
Highlights
IntroductionThe main objectives in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are to manage inflammation-related pain and to maintain or improve physical function, as well as the quality of life, of patients [1]
Gerhard Schmalz and Stefan Noack contributed as the first author.The main objectives in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are to manage inflammation-related pain and to maintain or improve physical function, as well as the quality of life, of patients [1]
All participants suffered from RA, with an average disease duration of 92.0 ± 102.0 months and a disease activity score (DAS28-ESR) of 3.6 ± 1.4
Summary
The main objectives in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are to manage inflammation-related pain and to maintain or improve physical function, as well as the quality of life, of patients [1]. This is because patients suffering from RA show distinct changes in their quality of life that are caused by direct effects of the underlying disease and by different psychological factors [2]. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is a specific sub-aspect of general health-related quality of life that can be affected by both oral and general health [4]. Dental and periodontal disease negatively influence OHRQoL [5, 6]; an influence of general health and disease burden on
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