Assessment of Factors Influencing Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of Patients with Acrylic Removable Partial Dental Prosthesis

Abstract

Objective: To assess oral health-related quality of life of acrylic removable partial dental prosthesis wearers and identify associated factors.

Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study.

Place and Duration of Study: 28 Military Dental Centre, Combined Military Hospital, Lahore Pakistan, from August 2022 to January 2023.

Methodology: Eighty-three acrylic RPDP wearers were enrolled through convenient sampling. Sociodemographic and prosthesis-related data were collected using a pre-validated questionnaire, and OHRQoL was assessed with the 14-item OHIP-DENT (Likert scale 0–4). Item scores summed to give domain scores (0–8) and a total score (0–56). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23; descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA were used.

Results: Of the 83 participants, 38(45.8%) were female and 45(54.2%) male. Physical disability (4.39±1.55), psychological discomfort (4.16±1.69), and psychological disability (4.03±1.58) had the highest mean scores, whereas functional limitation had the lowest (3.23±1.76). The mean total score was 27.28±7.54 (maximum 56). Females scored higher than males on the handicap domain (4.34±1.02 vs. 3.66±1.39, p=0.016). Psychological disability (p=0.012) and handicap (p=0.015) were highest in the 40–59 years group, and handicap was higher in the high socioeconomic group (p=0.021). Functional limitation and physical pain were higher among widowed participants (p=0.010, p=0.002) and with longer prosthesis use (p=0.045, p=0.003).

Conclusion: Physical disability, psychological discomfort and psychological disability were the most affected OHRQoL domains. Age group, gender, socioeconomic status, marital status, and prosthesis duration and location were associated with specific domains, whereas education level was not.