Oral health-related quality of life is more strongly correlated with mental health than with oral health in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a leading cause of neurological disability in young and middle-aged populations, associated with substantial burden of illness. Because a growing literature now shows that this burden extends to poorer oral health, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) may be reduced as well. To test whether people with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) have poorer OHRQoL than demographically matched controls, and to establish which variables are associated with worse OHRQoL. In total, 64 people with RRMS and 69 demographically matched controls participated. Both groups completed the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), a validated measure of OHRQoL, as well as an objective oral health examination performed by a qualified dentist, a measure of dental-related functionality and a measure of mental health. OHRQoL was significantly poorer in the RRMS relative to the control group. However, although poorer OHRQoL in the RRMS group was moderately associated with objectively assessed oral health (r=.30), it was more strongly associated with mental health (r=.61). For the control group, the reverse pattern of association was evident, with OHRQoL more strongly associated with oral health (r=.48) relative to mental health (r=.20). People with RRMS report poorer OHRQoL than demographically matched controls, but these appraisals are more strongly linked to mental health than to objective oral health indicators.