Association of sociodemographic factors and self-perception of health status on oral health-related quality of life among the older persons in Malaysia

Aim This study aimed to evaluate the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among older persons in Malaysia and its associations with sociodemographic and self-perception towards general health as well as oral health. Methods A cross-sectional survey among community dwelling older persons utilizing stratified cluster sampling was conducted in 2018. Well-trained interviewers conducted a face-to-face interview with older persons aged >= 60 years to collect information on participants' sociodemographic characteristics, self-perception on general as well as oral health using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Multivariate analysis of the data collected was performed using SPSS version 23. Results Overall, the GOHAI mean +/- SD score for older persons in Malaysia was 51.83 +/- 7.98, which was an average of fair mean (P < 0.001). Those with poor self-rated oral health (48.34 +/- 8.96) or poor self-rated general health (47.13 +/- 8.93) had poor mean OHRQoL (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis shows older persons who stay with spouse/partner (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.96 [1.66, 2.31]), no formal education (aOR: 1.84 [1.29, 2.61]) and self-perceived unhealthy oral health (aOR: 3.83 [3.19, 4.59]) were significantly associated with higher odds of having poor OHRQoL. Conclusions The estimated OHRQoL of older persons in Malaysia is rated as fair, with minimum association contributed by the sociodemographic factors, but with a significant influence by self-rated oral and general health. Self-perception of health can be used as a good indicator to estimate the OHRQoL. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 57-62.