Method: A focus group study was conducted with 86 adult patients with DHS in 13 focus groups. The information gathered was used to develop a pilot survey with 61 statements concerning how DHS affected these patients’ QoL. This pilot survey was administered to 294 patients (DHS: 70%) and 219 dental students (DHS: 23%). Oral exams were conducted with all patients. Based on the analyses of these data, 40 statements were identified for which (a) the answers of respondents with vs. without DHS differed significantly, and (b) high correlations between the responses and the oral exam data were found. These statements were then used in a second survey with 316 patients (DHS: 73%) and 317 students (DHS: 20%). Oral exam data were collected from all patients.
Results: The final DHS-QoL-Scale consists of 24 items. In addition to a total DHS-QoL score, three subscores can be computed: Subscale 1 assesses general consequences of DHS on patients’ lives (N=8 items; Cronbach alpha=.93); Subscale 2 measures how DHS affects patients’ behavior (N=8; Cronbach alpha=.92), and Subscale 3 assesses pain/discomfort related with DHS (N=8; Cronbach alpha=.95). Factor analytically determined construct validity as well as external validity (assessed with correlations between the DHS scores and the number of teeth with DHS as determined in oral exams) of the total and subscales were excellent.
Conclusion: A reliable and valid measure of DHS-QoL was developed. Being able show the significant effects that DHS has on patients’ lives might contribute to drawing attention to this oral disease. (This research was supported by a grant from the Colgate-Palmolive Company.)