Gingival inflammation influences oral health-related quality of life in individuals living in a rural area of southern Brazil

Aim The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to evaluate whether the extent levels of gingival inflammation (GI) in whole mouth or restricted to the anterior region are independently associated with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in individuals living in a rural area of southern Brazil. Materials and methods A probability sample of 688 individuals was submitted to a full-mouth periodontal examination at six sites on each tooth. Extent levels of GI in whole mouth and restricted to anterior region were dichotomously considered when bleeding on probing (BoP) occurred at 20% or more of whole-mouth sites and at 10% or more of anterior region sites, respectively, in individuals with probing depths <= 3 mm, totalling 121 individuals analysed, aged 15-82 years. OHRQoL was assessed using the simplified version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP14) questionnaire. Adjusted multilevel Poisson regression analysis was used with a conceptual hierarchical approach to calculate the rate ratio (RR) of OHIP(14)scores. Results In the adjusted model, higher extent levels of full-mouth GI (RR = 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-1.44;p = .004) and GI restricted to the anterior region (RR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.11-1.51;p <= .001) were significantly associated with poorer OHRQoL. Conclusions The extent of GI in whole mouth (>= 20% of sites with BoP) and in the anterior region (>= 10% of sites with BoP) was independently associated with OHRQoL in individuals living in a rural area.