Personality, wellbeing, and quality of life in patients with tooth wear

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate, in a cohort of patients with pathological levels of tooth wear, the effect of personality and general psychological wellbeing on generic and condition specific (CS) quality of life. MethodsPatients with pathological levels of tooth wear aged 18–70 years referred to the Eastman Dental Hospital for advice on the management of their tooth wear were invited to participate. Participants completed a CS oral impact on daily performances (OIDP) quality of life questionnaire, a NEO five-factor inventory personality questionnaire, and the general health questionnaire-12 (GHQ). Tooth wear severity was measured using the basic erosive wear examination (BEWE). Findings102 individuals were recruited. Increased BEWE scores were positively correlated with increasing age (p=0·046) and decreased generic and CS quality of life (p=0·017 and 0·031, respectively). Increased neuroticism values were positively correlated with increased generic OIDP score (p=0·007), CS OIDP score (p=0·003), generic and CS eating scores (p=0·025 and p=0·035, respectively), CS smiling score (p=0·029), and CS carrying out major work score (p=0·039). Increased general psychological wellbeing scores were positively correlated with increased generic and CS OIDP scores (p=0·009), generic and CS eating scores (p=0·009 and p=0·003, respectively), CS speaking scores (p=0·018), generic and CS cleaning scores (p=0·002 and p=0·004, respectively), generic relaxing scores (p=0·003), generic and CS smiling scores (p<0·0001 and p<0·0001, respectively), and generic emotional state score (p=0·015). Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that increased levels of neuroticism and decreased levels of general psychological wellbeing both had an independent and significant effect on generic and CS OIDP scores when adjusted for tooth wear severity (p<0·05). InterpretationIn this cohort of patients with pathological tooth wear, higher levels of neuroticism and decreased levels of general psychological wellbeing had a significant negative effect on quality of life. For patients with tooth wear, treating their condition solely may not help to improve quality of life because other factors may affect their perception. FundingUniversity College London and National Institute for Health Research.