Assessment of the oral health-related quality of life and the health-related quality of life of patients with stomatological diseases

Objective: The aim of the study was to clarify the factors affecting the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) and the general health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with stomatological diseases and to assess the correlation between the HRQOL and the OHRQOL scales in these patients. Study design: The study population included 2061 patients with stomatological diseases and was divided into five groups: tooth disease, inflammatory disease, oral mucosal disease, temporomandibular joint disorder, and cystic disease. The patients filled out the Short Form 8 Health Survey (SF-8) and the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). A Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis and pairwise comparison were used to compare the mean scores of GOHAI and SF-8 according to the disease classification. Welch's t test was used to compare the mean GOHAI and SF-8 scores using the Japanese national normative data. P values of <.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: Stomatological diseases affect both OHRQOL and HRQOL, and the physical items of the HRQOL were significantly correlated with the OHRQOL. When the mean GOHAI and SF-8 scores were compared according to disease classification, statistically significant differences were seen in most all items. Patients with oral mucosal disease, TMJ disorder, and inflammatory disease had lower scores in most of the scales than patients with other diseases. Conclusions: The assessment of the relationship between OHRQOL and HRQOL of patients with stomatological diseases seems to be useful in understanding problems related to patient well-being.