Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index Scores Research Articles

Smartphone-based combined oral and whole-body exercise programme aimed at improving oral functions: A randomized clinical trial.

To investigate the effects of a smartphone-based oral and whole-body exercise programme on oral function in older adults. Individuals aged 65 years or above were randomized into three groups (non-app use, app use and control group), and a combined oral and whole-body exercise programme was conducted for 5 weeks. Oral muscle strength, saliva flow rate, Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), and Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) were measured before and after the intervention. The changes in each group were analysed at the end of the programme using paired sample t-tests, and the differences among the groups were analysed using the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and ANOVA. The anterior tongue strength increased by 2.80 kPa after the intervention in the non-app use group; however, the change was not statistically significant. In the app use group, the anterior tongue strength significantly increased by 4.48 kPa. The saliva flow rate increased by 0.54 and 0.71 g/min in the non-app and app use groups, respectively, after the intervention (p < 0.05), and the change was greater in the app use group than in the other groups (p < 0.01). There were no significant changes in the posterior tongue strength, cheek strength, OHIP-14 or GOHAI scores over the course of the study. A smartphone-based combined oral and whole-body exercise programme can improve anterior tongue strength and saliva flow rate in older participants. The programme, however, did not result in significant changes in posterior tongue strength, cheek strength and perceived oral health.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Among Non-institutionalized Elderly in Malaysia: A Teaching Hospital-Based Survey.

Background In Malaysia, the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) has been recognized as a vital instrument for evaluating oral health-related quality of life among the elderly population. Its integration into the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) in 2018 demonstrates the country's dedication to understandingand addressing the unique oral health challenges faced by older individuals. The NHMS, led by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, serves as a crucial platform for identifying and addressing healthcare needs, while also working towards achieving sustainable development goals. This study aimed to provide valuable information for stakeholders and researchers by investigating the relationship between quality of life related to oral health and demographic factors, with the ultimate goal of enhancing oral healthcare for older individuals. Objective The objective of this research was to identify the variables that impact the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of non-institutionalized elderly individuals who visit the Klinik Pergigian Manipal University College Malaysia (MUCM). By utilizing the OHRQoL, dental practitioners can gain insight into the elderly's oral health-related quality of life, which is crucial information for dental healthcare providers to effectively reach out to and cater to the elderly at the institution. Methodology A cross-sectional design was employed, utilizing a non-probability sampling method to select eligible elderly individuals at the clinic. A validated questionnaire comprising 18 items covering sociodemographic details and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) was distributed to individuals above 60 years via printed forms. One way ANOVA, unpaired t-test and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to analyze the data. Results The overall mean GOHAI score among non-institutionalized elderly attending Klinik Pergigian MUCM was 48.38±9.33, indicating poor OHRQoL. The psychosocial impact domain had a mean score of 19.33±5.21, surpassing the pain and discomfort domain with a score of 10.73±2.82, highlighting the significant impact of psychosocial factors on poor oral health-related quality of life. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed no significantassociations between OHRQoL and factors such asethnicity, living arrangements apart from spouse and family, or tertiary education among older individuals after adjusting for confounding variables. Conclusions This study indicates that sociodemographic aspects have minimal impact on the OHRQoLof seniors. Further examination is needed to understand the economic aspects of tooth replacement options and preventive measures in this age group. To enhance the OHRQoLof older adults, especially those not living infacilities like nursing homes or assisted living centers,tailored oral healthcare plans and strategies arecrucial. Interdisciplinary collaboration among mental health professionals, geriatric experts, and oral healthcare providers is crucial for empowering both healthcare practitioners and seniors to maintain optimal oral health.

Self-perceived oral health

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between self-perceived oral health and the prosthetic status of individuals who seek care in prosthodontics clinics. Methods: Self-perceived oral health was analyzed through the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Abutment tooth mobility was assessed, and denture status was determined by clinical assessment of stability, retention, occlusal balance, vertical dimension, and integrity of dentures. The frequency of individuals in each variable was determined for the low and very low GOHAI conditions. Chi-square, Pearson, and stepwise logistic regression tests were used for the statistical analyses (α = 0.05). Results: Ninety wearers of removable dentures with a mean age of 55.1±9.1 years were evaluated. None of the variables was related to GOHAI values (p &gt; 0.05). The regression analysis showed that age predicts (p = 0.006) the variation of GOHAI conditions (OR = 0.924, CI = 0.873- 0.978), showing only 7.6% protective effect against very low GOHAI. Unsatisfactory stability showed the opposite effect (p = 0.034) and the individuals with this characteristic are more likely (OR = 3.055) to have very low GOHAI scores (CI = 1.085- 8.602). Conclusions: The self-perceived oral health of wearers of removable dentures worsens with age and unsatisfactory stability of dentures.

Assessment of Oral Health-related Quality of Life and Nutritional Status in Institutionalized Elderly Goan Population: A Descriptive, Cross-sectional Study

Background: The geriatric population is continuously at risk for nutritional deficiency and malnutrition, especially in developing countries like India. The aim of this study was to determine if the oral health-related quality of life is associated with malnutrition among the institutionalized elderly Goan population. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the institutionalized elderly in Goa. The elderly was assessed by a 12-item Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) questionnaire and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) test. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data using the SPSS version 21. Results: There were 102 elderly participants, of which 60.8% were females. The majority of study subjects (83%) were between the age group of 65 and 74 years. Among the assessed subjects, nearly 55.9% of them had a total score of GOHAI between 12 and 57 which was categorized as “needed dental care.” As per MNA, 32.4% had adequate nutrition, 65.7% were at risk of malnutrition, and the remaining 2% of subjects were malnourished. There was a significant correlation between GOHAI and MNA scores. Conclusion: In the elderly, nutritional status played a significant role in the oral health quality of life. The geriatric denture population is particularly vulnerable to compromised nutritional health.

Oral Health and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Elderly People in Iran.

The study aimed to investigate oral health status and its relationship with oral health-related quality of life in the elderly in Isfahan, Iran, in 2022. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Isfahan, with 460 elderly participants. During interviews with the participants, their demographic information, their medical and dental history, oral health-related behaviors, self-perceived oral health, and clinical examinations were collected, and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) was completed. The final conclusions were made using the Generalized Linear Model (GLM) test. The mean (sd) scores were 45.05 (8.62) for GOHAI, 5.44 (2.96) for self-perceived oral health, and 18.11 (5.76) for DMFT (Decayed, Missing and Filled teeth). Moreover, the number of remaining teeth on average was 11.78 (11.89), 39.56% of the participants did not brush their teeth, 40% of the elderly had complete dentures, and 27.17% had dental insurance. After adjusting and modifying the variables, the GLM test revealed that strong predictors for higher GOHAI scores were the higher levels of education (p < .001), the higher frequency of remaining teeth (p = 0.002), more pleasant self-perceived oral health (p < .001), and dental insurance (p = 0.04). According to the findings, the elderly's oral health-related quality of life in Isfahan was low, which was caused by the following factors: edentulism, few numbers of remaining teeth, high DMFT score, elderly' non-adjustment with dentures and their low quality, inappropriate oral health-related behaviors, lack of complementary insurance for dentistry, and non-using dental services, and low levels of education.

한국 노인의 상대 악력과 노인구강건강평가지수(GOHAI)의 관련성

Objectives: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between the elderly's relative grip strength and the elderly Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Methods: The study subjects were 3,410 elderly people aged 65 years or older from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA). Results: It was found that the higher the relative grip strength, the higher the GOHAI scores. In the male elderly, there was a significant effect in the 2nd quartile group and 3rd quartile group than in the group with the lowest grip strength. The elderly female was significantly present in the middle group and the high group. Conclusions: As a result, it was confirmed that relative grip strength could affect GOHAI scores. It is considered that in-depth follow-up research is needed to support multifaceted policies and institutional improvement for the health of the elderly.

Linking the demographic, socio-economic and oral health status to oral health-related quality of life of the sudanese older adults: a cross sectional study

BackgroundOral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) is an important measure of patients’ needs and progress. Identifying the links between clinical and non-clinical factors with OHRQoL in a specific population will facilitate the development of effective preventive strategies. The aim of the study was to assess the OHRQoL of Sudanese older adults, and to identify the possible relations between clinical and non-clinical predictors with OHRQoL using Wilson and Cleary model.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among older adults attending the out-patient clinics in Khartoum State’s Health Care Centers, Sudan. OHRQoL was assessed using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Two modifications of Wilson and Cleary’s conceptual model were tested using structural equations modeling including: oral health status, symptom status, perceived difficulty of chewing, oral health perceptions, and OHRQoL.Results249 older adults participated in the study. Their mean age was 68.24 (± 6.7) years. The mean GOHAI score was 53.96 (± 6.31) and trouble biting/chewing was the most commonly reported negative impact. Wilson and Cleary models showed that pain, Perceived Difficulty Chewing (PDC), and Perceived Oral Health had a direct effect on OHRQoL. In model 1, age and gender had direct effects on oral health status, while education had direct effects on OHRQoL. In model 2, poor oral health status is associated indirectly with poor OHRQoL.ConclusionsThe OHRQoL of the studied Sudanese older adults was relatively good. The study partially confirmed Wilson and Cleary model as Oral Health Status was related directly to PDC and indirectly to OHRQoL through functional status.

Association between self-reported oral health and life satisfaction among China's migrant elderly following children: The mediating effect of social support.

Focusing on the life satisfaction of the migrant elderly following children (MEFC) is of great theoretical and practical significance. We aimed to examine the effect of self-reported oral health on life satisfaction among the MEFC in Weifang, China, and to further explore the mediating role of social support on the relationship between self-reported oral health and life satisfaction. We conducted a cross-sectional survey for 613 participants using multi-stage random sampling in Weifang, China, in August 2021. The Social Support Rating Scale was used to assess social support for the MEFC. We used the Chinese version of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) to evaluate self-reported oral health. We assessed life satisfaction for the MEFC via the Satisfaction with Life Scale. The data were scrutinized through descriptive analysis, a chi-square test, a t-test, Pearson correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM). The mean GOHAI, social support, and life satisfaction scores were 54.95 ± 6.649, 38.89 ± 6.629, and 27.87 ± 5.584, respectively. SEM analysis indicated that the self-reported oral health of the MEFC exerts a positive effect on life satisfaction and social support, and social support has a positive and direct effect on life satisfaction. Social support partially mediates the association between self-reported oral health and life satisfaction (95% confidence interval: 0.023-0.107, P < 0.001), with its mediating effect accounting for 27.86% of the total effect. The mean score of life satisfaction was 27.87 ± 5.584 among the MEFC in Weifang, China, suggesting relatively high life satisfaction. Our findings underscore an empirical association between self-reported oral health and life satisfaction and imply that social support mediates this relationship.

Depression and oral health-related quality of life: A longitudinal study.

Geriatric oral health-related quality of life is a relatively new but rapidly growing concept as it is directly related to the general wellbeing and self-esteem of older adults. This study assessed the impact of worsening depression symptoms on oral health-related quality of life using representative nationwide data of Korean older adults. This study comprised a longitudinal sample of older adults aged ≥60 from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2016-2020). After applying the exclusion criteria, 3,286 participants were included in the study. Depression status was determined through the biennial assessment of the short-form Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10); oral health was measured using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). We employed the lagged general estimating equations to assess the temporal effect of the CESD-10 score change on the GOHAI score. A decrease in CESD-10 score over a 2-year period was significantly associated with a decrease in GOHAI score in men and women: β = -1.810 and β = -1.278, respectively (p-values < 0.0001). Furthermore, compared to the same or improved CESD-10 score, worsening of the score on 1-2 points detected the β = -1.793 in men and β = -1.356 in women, and worsening on ≥3 points: β = -3.614 in men and β = -2.533 in women. This study found that depression exacerbation is negatively associated with oral health-related quality of life in later life. Further, a more significant worsening of depression symptoms was correlated with lower scores for oral health-related quality of life in our study population.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN COGNITIVE FRAILTY AND ORAL HEALTH IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS IN KOREA

Abstract Cognitive frailty(CF) is a condition where physical frailty and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) co-exist without dementia. CF is related to adverse health outcomes, such as functional disability, hospitalization, depression, and mortality. Studies suggest that poor oral health is also associated with a greater risk of frailty, a significant healthcare challenge in aging populations. However, no previous studies have investigated the association between oral health and CF. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and its association with oral health. A secondary analysis was conducted using the 7th wave dataset from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging collected in 2018. Individuals aged ≥65 years, without dementia and pre-frailty were included (N=750, mean age 73.2 years). Participants were classified into either robust (n=635) or CF (n=115) based on the presence or absence of CF. Oral health was assessed using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Poor oral health was prevalent in both robust and CF groups (58.6% and 95.7%, respectively). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the associations of CF with oral health. CF was significantly associated with GOHAI scores (B = −0.153, 95% CI: 0.833-0.884, p &amp;lt; 0.001). The association remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, educational level, smoking, drinking, comorbidities, and body mass index (B = −0.140, 95% CI: 0.836-0.904, p &amp;lt; 0.001). The presence of oral health problems was associated with greater risks of developing CF in older age. The identification and management of poor oral health is critical to preventing cognitive frailty in older adults.

The mediating effect of social support on the association between socioeconomic status and self-reported oral health status among the migrant elderly following children in Weifang, China: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundDriven by population aging and the rapid urbanization in China, many migrant elderly following children (MEFC) moved to big cities to care for their grandchildren. The purpose of this study is to clarify the mediating effect of social support on the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and self-reported oral health status among the MEFC in Weifang, China.MethodsMultistage cluster random sampling was used to select the participants and finally 613 MEFC were included in the survey. The Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) and the Chinese version of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) scale were used for data collection. Descriptive analysis, Rao-Scott test, t-test and structural equation modeling (SEM) were conducted in this study.ResultsMean score of GOHAI of the MEFC was 54.95 ± 6.47. The SES of MEFC exerted positive direct effect both on social support (standardized coefficient = 0.15) and self-reported oral health status (standardized coefficient = 0.22); social support exerted positive direct effect on self-reported oral health status (standardized coefficient = 0.17). Social support partially mediated the association between SES and self-reported oral health status [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.003–0.064, P < 0.05], and the mediating effect of social support accounted for 12.0% of the total effect.ConclusionsHigher GOHAI score of MEFC indicated their better self-reported oral health status. MEFCs’ SES could exert positive effect both on social support and self-reported oral health status, while the mediating effect of social support between SES and self-reported oral health status of MEFC was established.

Psychometric Properties of the Brazilian Version of GOHAI among Community-Dwelling Elderly People.

This study assessed the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). A representative sample of 613 community-dwelling elderly people aged from 65 to 74 years was selected. Sociodemographic data, GOHAI and self-perceived oral health measures were collected. Dental clinical measures were obtained through oral examinations. The dimensional structure and adequacy of components were assessed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), inter-item correlations and item-scale correlations. Reliability was evaluated by internal consistency and Intraclass Correlation Coefficients. Correlations between GOHAI scores and self-reported oral health measures were conducted to assess convergent validity. The relationship between dental clinical measures and GOHAI was tested through Poisson Regression to examine discriminant validity. The link between GOHAI items and dimensions was supported by CFA. Item 12 showed a poor factor loading. The inter-item correlations varied from 0.047 to 0.442, and item-scale correlations ranged from 0.305 to 0.612. Cronbach's alpha was 0.704. The test-retest correlation for GOHAI was 0.882. GOHAI scores were correlated by self-rated oral health measures. Poor dental clinical measures were associated with GOHAI. The Brazilian version of GOHAI showed adequate psychometric properties. However, the weak dimensional structure of GOHAI suggests the need to perform cross-cultural adaptation of GOHAI for Brazilian elderly people.

Does Nutritional Status Affects Oral Health Related Quality of Life Among Elderly? A Cross-Sectional Study at A Tertiary Care Health Centre, Rishikesh, India

Aim: Present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of nutritional status on oral health related quality of life using Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) among geriatric population attending outpatient department (OPD) of tertiary health care centre in Rishikesh. Settings and Design: Present cross-sectional study was conducted on geriatric male &amp; female participants attending Outpatients Department (OPD) of tertiary care centre, RISHIKESH. Methods and Material: Nutritional assessment was recorded by using Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool. Oral health related quality of life was assessed using pre-validated Hindi version of Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) questionnaire. Statistical analysis: Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test were applied using SPSS 22.0 Software. Logistic regression analysis was done to find out risk factors. Results: A total of 281 participants completed the questionnaire with mean age of 66.89 ± 6.43 years. About three fourth (73%) of total participants were at risk of malnourishment. A statistically significant difference (P=0.005) was observed when the median GOHAI scores were compared with nutritional status (MNA scores). Conclusions: A statistically significant difference was found between nutritional status and geriatric oral health related quality of life (GOHAI). Nutritional status affects oral health related quality of life among elderly population.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Elderly People in Mohnyin, Myanmar

Introduction: Issues with oral and dental health rank high on the list of concerns and complaints expressed by the elderly. The purpose of this study was to determine oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among elderly people from Mohnyin, Myanmar. &#x0D; Methods: We conducted a community based cross-sectional study among 312 elderly people of Mohnyin, Myanmar. Ethical approval was obtained. We conveniently recruited the participants in the study. General characteristics, dental status and denture status were obtained from all the participants. We used Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) to assess oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Data was entered in EpiData and transported to SPSS version 18 for further analysis.&#x0D; Results: Of the total, 46.1% had a high GOHAI score, whereas 53.8% had a low GOHAI score. The mean score of GOHAI was 41.18±5.7 (mean±SD). About 56.1% of the elderly had at least 20 remaining natural teeth and the prevalence of wearing dentures was only 19.9%.&#x0D; Conclusions: This study's results support the implementation of preventative and restorative public health policies aimed at enhancing oral health care and education for the elderly.

Assessment of Oral Health in Elders with and without Alzheimer’s Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: Assessment and comparison of oral health status in elders with and without Alzheimer's disease.&#x0D; Methods: This age and gender matched cross-sectional study included participants from an Alzheimer’s day care center, and a nursing home. Mental state, oral and periodontal health, Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), unstimulated salivary flow rate (USFR), and other dry mouth conditions were examined. Group comparisons, and correlation analysis were performed. &#x0D; Results: Thirty-six elders with AD and 37 elders without AD were included. Elders had similar GOHAI scores, USFR level (p&gt;0.05). Elders with AD had lower probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL), and higher presence of no periodontitis than the elders without AD (p

Oral health-related quality of life is associated with physical frailty: A cross-sectional study of Japanese community-dwelling older adults.

BackgroundPhysical frailty is related to adverse outcomes, and poor oral health has been linked to malnourishment. Subjective measures of oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) have been used as indicators of the oral health problems of older adults, and they have been associated with malnourishment. This study aimed to assess OHRQoL's association with physical frailty.MethodsCross‐sectional study was conducted using data from the Nagasaki Islands Study that enrolled participants aged ≥60 years at Japanese national medical check‐ups from 2014 to 2019. Physical frailty phenotype criteria were determined using the modified Fried frailty phenotype model. OHRQoL was assessed using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Dentists conducted clinical dental examinations. Simple correlation and linear regression analyses were performed to investigate the associations of number of physical frailty phenotype criteria with GOHAI and other oral health indicators.ResultsAmong 1341 participants with a mean age of 72 years, GOHAI score was significantly associated with number of physical frailty phenotype criteria (B = −0.01, 95% confidence interval: −0.02 to −0.01, p < 0.001). The association remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, history of hypertension, history of diabetes mellitus, smoking status, Kessler‐6 score, and number of remaining teeth.ConclusionsOral health‐related quality of life was associated with physical frailty in Japanese community‐dwelling older adults.

Critical Assessment on Unmet Oral Health Needs and Oral Health-related Quality of Life Among Old Age Home Inhabitants in Karnataka, India.

PurposeTo critically assess the unmet oral health needs and oral health-related quality of life among old age home inhabitants in Karnataka, India.MethodsA total of 96 older adults (males=32, 33.33%, females=64, 66.67%) aged 60 years and above, residing in old age homes were included in this cross-sectional study. The mean age of the participants included in the study was 69.25±7.99 years. Oral health status and dental needs were assessed using the Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (OHIS) and the WHO Oral Health Assessment forms. Oral health-related quality of life was evaluated by administrating the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) questionnaire through an interview format.Statistical AnalysisThe Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17 was used. Descriptive statistics was tabulated for oral health status and GOHAI scores. Student’s t-test and ANOVA were applied to check the association of the GOHAI responses with the number of years of residence in old age homes, age groups, gender, and dentition status.ResultsThe mean age of the participants included in the study was 69.25±7.99 years. Twenty-six (27.1%) participants reported diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Most of the participants 89 (91.7%) visited the dentist when they had dental complaints. Among the dentulous study population, the majority of the participants had untreated dental caries indicated for dental extraction and needed periodontal therapy. Amongst the participants, 68 (70.82%) required prosthetic rehabilitation. More than 10 years of residence in old aged homes, over 80 years of age, being female, and completely edentulous groups showed lower total GOHAI scores compared to their counterparts.ConclusionThe majority of the participants showed unmet oral health needs and lower GOHAI scores indicating poor oral health-related quality of life.

Factors associated with poor oral health-related quality of life among non-institutionalized Brazilian older adults: Oral health and quality of life in older adults.

To investigate the factors associated with poor oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in a sample of Brazilian older adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 535 non-institutionalized elders aged 60years or older from Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. OHRQoL was measured using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Data on sociodemographic characteristics, self-perceived general health status, and health-related behaviors were obtained through a structured questionnaire. Data on chronic diseases were obtained from health records. Associations between exploratory factors and low OHRQoL (% GOHAI score <30) were evaluated using multivariate Poisson regression models to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) and confidence intervals. The mean OHRQoL score was 30 (±4.4). In bivariate analysis, being not married, smoking, and self-rated "fair/poor" general health status were associated with lower OHRQoL. In the adjusted model, self-rated "fair/poor" general health (PR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.05-1.48), presence of chronic diseases (PR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.37-2.58), smoking (PR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.02-1.53), and reason for last dental appointment (PR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.13-1.59) were associated with poor OHRQoL. Non-institutionalized older adults with a history of chronic diseases, who smoke, have a negative perception of their general health, and had the last dental appointment motivated by pain present significantly higher prevalence rates of poor OHRQoL.

Oral Health Status and the Impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among the Institutionalized Elderly Population: A Cross-Sectional Study in an Area of Southern Italy

Background: The objectives of this study were to describe the oral health status in the institutionalized geriatric population in an area of southern Italy and to identify the impact of oral health on the Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL). Methods: Data were collected from individuals aged ≥60 years in randomly selected Calabrian long-term care facilities. The dental health status was assessed recording the decayed, missing, or filled dental elements due to the carious lesions (DMFT) index, the presence of visible dental plaque, and the gingival condition. The influence of the dental health status on the self-perceived value of life was assessed using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Results: Among the 344 elderly individuals included, 18.4% reported frequent tooth-brushing, and only 39.9% reported the need of dental care. The DMFT index was 26.4. Less than a third of the participants had a GOHAI score of ≤50 which is suggestive of highly compromised OHRQoL. The GOHAI score was significantly better for elderly individuals with no self-perceived need of dental care and with a lower DMFT index. Conclusions: The burden of oral conditions among residents in long-term care facilities was considerable, with a high prevalence of missing teeth and dentures. Strategies targeting care providers are needed.

Psychometric properties of the Urdu version of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and oral health-related quality of life in the elder Pakistani population.

The study aimed to translate the English version of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index, assess its reliability and validity, and demonstrate its psychometric properties with regard to OHRQoL in the elder Pakistani population. In this cross-sectional study, 408 elder people were randomly recruited from three day-care centres. In the translation process, the translated Urdu version was reviewed by a committee of experts, followed by back-translation into English and re-reviewed by the same committee of experts. The questionnaire sought information about socio-demographic characteristics information and self-perception of oral, general health and treatment needs. OHRQoL was examined using GOHAI-U, and intraoral examination recorded the decayed, missing, and filled teeth. Reliability, internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity of GOHAI-U were examined. The mean GOHAI-U score was 40.2 (SD=5.7, range=20-55). The Cronbach's alpha for GOHAI score was 0.71, item-scale correlation coefficients ranged from 0.63 to 0.76, and test-retest correlation ranged from 0.59 to 0.74. Three factors supported the theoretical construction in the component factor analysis of the index. For convergent validity, there was a significant relationship between the GOHAI score and self-perceived oral, general health and treatment needs (P<.05). For discriminant validity, a significant correlation was found between the GOHAI score and clinical measures of dental health status except with the carious teeth. The GOHAI-U has sufficient reliability and constructs validity to be used as an efficient measure of oral health-related quality of life in the Pakistani elder population.