Impact of sense of coherence on oral health-related quality of life among Brazilian adults

Abstract It has been postulated that oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) may be affected by the sense of coherence (SOC), but there are no epidemiological studies investigating this association in Brazilian adults. The present study was conducted among adults of a mid-sized Brazilian city, with the aim of looking into this association. The probability sampling consisted of 342 adults aged 35-44 years old, from a mid-sized Brazilian city, who were examined at their homes for caries (Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth [DMFT] Index) and periodontal disease (Community Periodontal Index - CPI), according to WHO criteria. The questionnaire applied included demographic factors, socioeconomic information, use of dental services, behavior, SOC and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP). The OHIP outcome, measured by prevalence of the impact, was analyzed by binary logistic regression using a hierarchical approach, a conceptual model, and a 5% significance level. A total of 67.9% of the respondents had one or more impacts on OHRQoL, and 54.4% showed a high SOC. The impact on OHRQoL was more prevalent in adults who had a manual occupation (PR = 2.47, 95%CI 1.24-4.93), those who perceived the need for dental treatment (PR = 2.93, 95%CI 1.67-5.14), and those who had untreated caries (PR = 1.93, 95%CI 1.07-3.47). Those with a low SOC had a twofold higher prevalence of impact on OHRQoL (PR = 2.19, 95%CI 1.29-3.71). This impact on OHRQoL was associated with a low SOC, even after adjusted by socioeconomic, behavioral and clinical factors. Future studies should consider the SOC in determining the oral health impact on quality of life.

Psychological factors and his influence in the oral health of older people: a narrative review / Factores psicológicos y su influencia en la salud oral en el adulto mayor: una revisión narrativa

Abstract: there has been a significant growth in the elderly population of developing countries. This growth leads health systems in those countries to face an increase in consultations for oral diseases for this age group. Therefore, the biopsychosocial approach is essential for healthy aging in the elderly. The objectives of this review article are to identify the psychological factors that have a relationship with most prevalent oral diseases in elderly people (dental caries and periodontal disease), and then describe how tooth loss, the principal consequence of caries and periodontal disease, impacts the mental health of older people. Finally, some proposals for dental work in the elderly are discussed, considering the psychological factors related to oral health.

Resumen: este último tiempo, ha existido un aumento significativo de los adultos mayores en los países en desarrollo. Este aumento lleva a estas naciones a enfrentar un crecimiento en las consultas dentales para este grupo etáreo. Bajo este contexto, es que la aproximación biopsicosocial es esencial para el envejecimiento saludable en la tercera edad. El objetivo de este artículo de revisión sería, en primer lugar, dentificar los factores psicológicos que tienen relación con las enfermedades más prevalentes en el adulto mayor (caries dental y enfermedad periodontal), para luego describir como la pérdida de dientes, principal consecuencia de la caries y enfermedad periodontal, impacta en la salud mental del adulto mayor. Finalmente, se discuten algunas propuestas para el trabajo dental en el adulto mayor, considerando los factores psicológicos relacionados a la salud oral.

Validation of a scale assessing the impact of periodontal diseases on patients' quality of life in Bulgaria (pilot research)

The aim of the paper is to present the validation of a scale for assessing the impact of periodontal diseases on individuals' quality of life in Bulgaria. A pilot research was made among 30 diagnosed patients with periodontitis visiting the Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The minimum sample size of 30 people was established based on a power analysis for sample size calculation. The mean age of participants was 48.95 ± 11.85 years, being 56.67 ± 9.05 years for males and 43.33 ± 9.05 years for females. Standard interviews were conducted using a specific instrument: self-designed questionnaire and a 5-degree ranked scale, containing initially 11 questions. The interviews were repeated after 3 months with the same patients for retest analysis. The data was statistically processed using SPSS v.13 software. Results received after the initial interviews: Cronbach's coefficient (α=0.882), Spearman-Brown coefficient (r sb=0.998), average inter-item correlation coefficient (R=0.426), difficulty of the questions from 0.173 to 0.757 and discrimination power from 0.405 to 0.809. Results after the second interviews: α=0.883, r sb=0.998, R=0.507, difficulty from 0.287 to 0.757 and discrimination power from 0.524 to 0.809. In two of the questions, a low level of inter-item correlation with the rest of the items was found and they were excluded. The final version of the questionnaire contained 9 questions. The validation proved that the developed scale is sufficiently reliable and will be used in the final research, the first one to use such an instrument for measuring oral health-related quality of life in Bulgaria.

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar a validação de uma escala que mede o impacto das doenças periodontais sobre a qualidade de vida das pessoas na Bulgária. Foi feito um estudo piloto com 30 indivíduos diagnosticados com doença periodontal, entre os pacientes do Departamento de Periodontologia da Faculdade de Medicina Odontológica da Universidade de Medicina de Plovdiv, Bulgária. A amostra mínima de 30 pessoas foi estabelecida baseada em análise de potência para cálculo do tamanho de amostra. A idade média dos participantes foi de 48,95 ± 11,85 anos, sendo de 56,67 ± 9,05 para homens e de 43,33 ± 9,05 para mulheres. Foram feitas entrevistas padronizadas usando um instrumento específico: um questionário com uma escala de 5 graus, contendo 11 perguntas iniciais. As entrevistas foram repetidas 3 meses depois, com os mesmos pacientes, para reanalisar o teste. Os dados foram processados estatisticamente pelo programa SPSS v.13. Os resultados das entrevistas iniciais foram: coeficiente de Cronbach (α=0,882), coeficiente de Spearman-Brown (rsb=0,998), coeficiente de correlação média inter-item (R=0,426), dificuldade das questões de 0,173 a 0,757 e potência de discriminação de 0,405 a 0,809. Os resultados da segunda série de entrevistas foram: α=0,883, rsb=0,998, R=0,507, dificuldade de 0,287 a 0,757 e potência de discriminação de 0,524 a 0,809. Duas das questões apresentaram baixo nível de correlação inter-item e foram excluídas. A versão final do questionário continha 9 perguntas. A validação comprovou que a escala desenvolvida é suficientemente confiável e será usada na pesquisa final, a primeira a utilizar tal instrumento para mensurar a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde oral na Bulgária.