Quality of life in children and adolescents with blood coagulation disorders and hemoglobinopathies

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of oral conditions and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children and adolescents with blood coagulation disorders and hemoglobinopathies (BCDH). The study was cross-sectional and included 61 individuals aged 2 to 18 years with BCDH. Exams for dental caries (dmft/DMFT index), oral hygiene (simplified oral hygiene index - OHI-S), and gingival health (modified gingival index - MGI) were performed. The pediatric quality of life inventory (TM) (PedsQL (TM)) generic core scale and oral health scale were used to measure HRQoL and OHRQoL. Spearman's correlation coefficient (rho) and the Mann-Whitney test (alpha = 0.05) were conducted to assess the relationship between covariates and the PedsQL (TM) oral health scale. The mean PedsQL (TM) oral health scale score was 76.66 (SD = 21.36). Worse OHRQoL was correlated with poor oral hygiene (rho = -0.383; p: 0.004), poor gingival health (rho = -0.327; p = 0.014), and better HRQoL (rho = 0.488; p < 0.001). Greater untreated dental caries experience was associated with worse OHRQoL (p = 0.009). Worse oral health status in children and adolescents with BCDH negatively impacts OHRQoL, and OHRQoL and quality of life analyzed from a generic perspective are positively correlated constructs in this population.