Impact of periodontitis on quality of life. Study in a population of Galicia.

Abstract

Introduction. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory pathology that mainly affects the insertion of dental pieces. It has been proved that periodontal disease is closely related with patients’ life quality.

Objectives. To investigate whether there are differences in health-related quality of life between people with and without periodontitis and to find out the prevalence of periodontal disease.

Material and methods. Cross-sectional observational study of a randomized sample of from a rural village in Galicia. n=969 individuals ≥18 years old. Variables: sociodemographic data, toxic habits, physical activity and periodontal clinical parameters. SF-36.

Results. Prevalence of periodontitis was 52,9%. In the resulting scales of the SF-36 a lower quality of life can be observed in individuals suffering from periodontitis affecting physical function, physical role and general health (p=0.004). With the adjustment in the regression analysis made by age and gender, men get a higher score in every role of the SF-36 apart from general health. There is a significant association between the age, physical functionality roles, physical appearance roles, vitality, bodily pain and general health, but the only component that has a statistically significant score in patients with periodontitis is social function.

Conclusions. A high prevalence of periodontal disease has been found. Patients with periodontal disease have a worse health-related quality of life in the social function component, after adjusting for age and sex, variables also associated with a worse health-related quality of life..