The Impact of Gross Motor Function on the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy in Saudi Arabia.

Sharat Chandra Pani,Dalal Nasser Almuhaidib,Hessa Faisal Alsulaiman,Aljawharah Ali Alabsi,Saja Fahad Aleidan,Rawan Nasser Almutairi,Najd Waleed Alfraih

doi:10.1155/2020/4590509

Abstract

Background There is evidence that gross motor function impacts the health-related quality of life of young adults with cerebral palsy. This study aimed to assess gross motor function, oral health and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and the relationship between them in young adults with cerebral palsy. Methods The sample comprised 46 individuals aged between 13 and 17 years with Gross Motor Function Classification Scores (GMFCS) ranging from level I to level III. The individuals and their parents were administered an Arabic version of the child perception questionnaire for adolescents. Parental and child perception scores, DMFT, and gingival index were compared across GMFCS levels using the one-way ANOVA and Scheffe's post hoc test. Results Children with level III GMFCS had a significantly higher child perception score (CPQ) and parental perception score (PPQ) than those with level I or level II scores. There was a significant association between function (GMFCS) and the CPQ score in children (p = 0.016). No significant associations were found between the CPQ score and either dental caries (DMFT) or gingival bleeding (GI) scores. Children with GMFCS level III had a significantly higher DMFT (p = 0.016). No significant associations were found between the CPQ score and either dental caries (DMFT) or gingival bleeding (GI) scores. Children with GMFCS level III had a significantly higher DMFT (p = 0.016). No significant associations were found between the CPQ score and either dental caries (DMFT) or gingival bleeding (GI) scores. Children with GMFCS level III had a significantly higher DMFT (Conclusion Motor function has a significant impact on both the oral health and the OHRQoL of adolescents and young adults with spastic cerebral palsy.

Highlights

Cerebral palsy (CP) is not a specific disease entity but rather a collection of disabling disorders caused by insult and permanent damage to the brain in the prenatal and perinatal periods, during which time the central nervous system is still maturing [1]. is disability might involve muscle weakness, stiffness or paralysis, poor balance or irregular gait, and uncoordinated or involuntary movements [1]
It is only recently that studies have sought to look at the impact of that impaired oral health on the quality of life of these individuals [15,17,19]. is study sought to assess the impact of overall motor function and oral health on the oral health-related quality of life of individuals with cerebral palsy in Saudi Arabia
Studies have shown a negative correlation between the Gross Motor Function Classification Scores (GMFCS) score and the overall activity participation [3,5,27]. e fact that the results of our study found a similar relationship with CPQ scores, where there was a worse oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) with increasing GMFCS level, seems to highlight the role function in oral health. is finding is further substantiated by the trend of higher dental caries and gingival index scores with a progression in the GMFCS level

Summary

Introduction

Cerebral palsy (CP) is not a specific disease entity but rather a collection of disabling disorders caused by insult and permanent damage to the brain in the prenatal and perinatal periods, during which time the central nervous system is still maturing [1]. is disability might involve muscle weakness, stiffness or paralysis, poor balance or irregular gait, and uncoordinated or involuntary movements [1]. E health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy has recently received attention in literature [3, 4]. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is a multidimensional construct that includes a subjective evaluation of the individual’s oral health, functional well-being, emotional well-being, expectations and satisfaction with care, and sense of self It has wide-reaching applications in survey and clinical research [10,11,12,13]. Is study aimed to assess gross motor function, oral health and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and the relationship between them in young adults with CP aged between 13 and 17 years attending a rehabilitation center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Materials and Methods

Conclusions

Ethical Approval