Linking patient-reported oral and general health-related quality of life

Abstract

Background The relationship between oral and overall health is of interest to health care professionals and patients alike. This study investigated the correlation between oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a general adult population. Methods This cross-sectional study used a convenience sample of adult participants (N = 607) attending the 2022 Minnesota County and State fairs in USA, the 5-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-5) assessed OHRQoL, and the 10-item PROMIS v.1.2 Global Health Instrument assessed HRQoL. Spearman and Pearson correlations were used to summarize the bivariable relationship between OHRQoL and HRQoL (both physical and mental health dimensions). A structural equation model determined OHRQoL-HRQoL correlations (r). Correlations’ magnitude was interpreted according to Cohen’s guidelines (r = 0.10, 0.30, and 0.50 to demarcate “small,” “medium,” and “large” effects, respectively). Results OHRQoL and HRQoL correlated with r = 0.52 (95% confidence interval, CI: [0.50–0.55]), indicating that the two constructs shared 27% of their information. According to Cohen, this was a “large” effect. OHRQoL, and the physical and mental HRQoL dimensions correlated with r = 0.55 (95% CI: [0.50–0.59]) and r = 0.43 (95% CI: [0.40–0.46]), respectively, indicating a “large” and a “medium” effect. OHRQoL and HRQoL were substantially correlated in an adult population. Conclusion Using OHIP-5 to assess their dental patients’ oral health impact allows dental professionals to gain insights into patients’ overall health-related wellbeing.