Oral Health Related Quality of Life of Eating Disorders Patients

Objectives: Eating disorders (ED) are example of the oral/systemic health link. ED patients often present extensive dental anxiety and Oral Health (OH) problems which may affect their OH related Quality of life (OHRQoL). OH is traditionally assessed based on normative clinical indicators. However normative approach has been criticized and questionnaires are good methods to objectify aspects both reated to OH and QoL. Aim of the study was to assess the effect of Dental hygienist’s Oral Health Intervention (DH-OHI), including motivation, counselling and supra-subgingival plaque removal (when needed) on periodontal parameters and OHRQoL of ED patients.
Methods: The Italian version of Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-49) was administered to 12 ED patients (4 males and 8 females) at Dental Clinic, University Hospital, Ferrara. After self report OHIP-49 filling, all patients undewent DH-OHI session. After 90 days OHIP-49 was re-administered. Bleeding on Probing (BoP) and Plaque Index (PlI) were recorderd during DH-OHI session and 90 days later. All clinical data were collected by the same operator. Statistical analysis was performed with Mann-Whitney test.
Results: BoP and PlI scores were recorded before and after DH-OHI. In unadjusted analysis, baseline and 90 days data did differ in terms of average BoP (-3,1% mean value), PlI score (-10,4% mean value) and n. of sites with probing depth > 4 mm (from 2,2 sites for each patient to 1,5 mean value), showing a slight reduction (P>0.05) after DH-OHI. Otherwise ED patients showed significant (P<0.05) reduction of OHIP-total score and OHIP subscales 1 and 3 (functional limitation, psychological discomfort) after DH-OHI.
Conclusions: ED diagnosis may have a negative effect on the impact of OH on QoL. DH-OHI may have a positive effect on OHRQoL in ED patients. Dental hygienists’ role in these patients management is crucial and needs to be investigated in further studies.