Factors Associated with Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in Alcoholic Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: although the factors associated with the general quality of life in alcoholic patients are well established, there are no studies to date that evaluate the factors associated with the quality of life associated with the oral health of these individuals. Thus, the objective of this article was to evaluate the impact of sociodemographic factors, oral hygiene, alcohol and cigarette consumption as well as the decayed, missing and filled teeth index (DMFT) on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of alcoholic patients. Methods: cross-sectional study with a sample of 400 adult men. The DMFT index was applied by a calibrated examiner (kappa=0.85 inter-examiner, kappa=0.9 intra-examiner). Self-perception of oral health was measured using the short version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). Descriptive analysis and univariate and multivariate Poisson regression with robust variance were performed. Values of p<0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results: no statistically significant associations were detected between sociodemographic factors and OHRQoL. However, oral hygiene represented by the use of toothpaste (p=0.016), self-perception of metallic taste (p=0.011) and self-perception of tooth mobility (p=0.019); alcohol consumption (p=0.009) and DMFT index (p=0.034) were associated with a negative impact on OHRQoL. Discussion: the study has limitations involving the possible risk of memory bias. However, the study brings to light the complexity of quality of life and oral health in a marginalized population. Conclusion: hygiene habits, higher alcohol consumption and DMFT index are factors that lead to low OHRQoL.