Impact of orofacial pain on the quality of life of students

Abstract

Introduction. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of orofacial pain in students and the impact of pain on their quality of life and everyday professional obligations. Material and Methods. A cross-sectional study included 319 respondents of both genders. Two questionnaires were used in this study; one that we specifically designed to detect orofacial pain among students and the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance questionnaire. Results. Of the total number of examinees, 101 (32%) reported that they had previously experienced pain in the orofacial region. Using the logistic regression analysis, we found that gender was an important predictor of pain and that female students had a 1.8 times higher risk for developing pain (p < 0.05). The highest prevalence of pain in our subjects was in the temporal region (7%; confidence interval 4%; 9%) and the region around the eye (6%; confidence interval 4%; 9%). Namely, in 65 (64.4%) students who had pain in the orofacial region, it had an impact on the quality of life and daily activities. The most prominent was the impact of the orofacial pain on the performance of their activities at the faculty. Orofacial pain has a significant impact on the psychosocial sphere, emotional and social contacts (12.3%; 14.1%). The temporomandibular joint pain and the pain when opening the mouth showed the least impact on the quality of life (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Orofacial pain is a condition that affects daily activities of students at the faculty, as well as their emotional and social life.