Evaluation of Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis Referring to Tooba Dental Clinic in Sari

Abstract

Background and purpose: This study investigated the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with ulcerative colitis. Materials and methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 77 patients with ulcerative colitis in the Tooba dental clinic in 2023, with inclusion and exclusion criteria investigated. The OHIP-14 questionnaire was prepared from the patients and scored using two different methods. Dry mouth, DMFT, PI, GI, and SBI indices were recorded during the clinical examination. Finally, the data are analyzed statistically. Results: In this study, the participants were categorized according to the use or non-use of removable prostheses. Statistically, women used removable prostheses significantly more (P=0.021). The average age of patients with removable prostheses was higher (P=0.003). Also, the OHRQoL score increased by 0.24 (P=0.034) as the age of the patients increased each year. OHRQoL score was higher in patients with removable dental prostheses (P=0.020). In general, patients had a higher OHRQoL score with alcohol consumption (P=0.007). In patients with removable prostheses, the average OHRQoL was significantly higher in patients with dry mouth (P=0.038). Conclusion: In the studied population of patients with ulcerative colitis, overall oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) was found to be worse in individuals with removable prostheses, older age, and alcohol consumption. Additionally, no significant relationship was observed between OHRQoL and smoking, dry mouth, or oral-dental indices (PI, GI, DMFT, and SBI).

Keywords

• quality of life
• ulcerative colitis
• oral health