Association between oral health-related quality of life and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder among older adults: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Objective

Evaluate the association between oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and self-reported symptoms of TMD.

Methods

Representative samples of older adults (≥60 years) were included (n = 569). Both TMD symptoms and OHRQoL were assessed by Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI) and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), respectively. Prevalence (those answering “frequently” or “always” in at least one question), severity (total means scores), and extent (number of questions answered as “frequently” or “always”) of OHRQoL were estimated.

Results

Overall, 33.4% and 9.5% had mild or moderate/severe TMD symptoms. Those with any symptom of TMD had a prevalence ratio (PR) 38% higher for the worst OHRQoL (95% confidence interval [95%CI]:1.04–1.82) compared to those without TMD symptoms. Worst OHRQoL were observed for those with mild (PR:1.35; 95%CI:1.01–1.81) and moderate/severe TMD (PR:1.53; 95%CI:1.04–2.26). Similar results were detected in the severity and extent of OHRQoL.

Conclusion

Severity TMD was associated with worse ORHQoL.

KEYWORDS:

• Dental care for aged
• oral health
• quality of life
• temporomandibular joint disorders
• aged

Acknowledgments

This study was reviewed and approved by the local Ethics Committee, under protocols #1,531,862 (Cruz Alta) and #2,990,088 (Veranópolis).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001. All other funding was self-supported by the authors.