IADR Abstract Archives
Development of a gum-Related Quality of Life Measure
Objectives: Gum health studies have often not considered impacts from across the entire gum health-disease continuum, from gingivitis through to periodontal disease. Use of existing oral health-related quality of life measures also limits measurement of more specific gum health-related impacts that individuals experience. The aim of this study was to develop a new gum-related quality of life measure using qualitative data on the everyday impacts of a range of gum symptoms.
Methods: Twenty-seven participants were recruited (15 female, 12 male; 23-73 years) with a range of symptoms associated with gingivitis (n=15) and periodontal disease (n=12). Semi-structured interviews explored experiences with symptoms and associated impacts. Framework analysis was used to map findings onto the Wilson and Cleary (1995) health-related quality of life model, from which representative domains and items for the new measure were selected. Following this, a preliminary pilot validation study tested the measures wording and relatability.
Results: Greater impacts were reported by those with periodontal disease (severity, extent and frequency of symptoms) than with gingivitis. However, participants from across the continuum expressed similar concerns, with participants with gingivitis also reporting impacts on daily life. The domains (and associated number of items) of the new 64-item gum health experience questionnaire (GHEQ) were: symptoms (n=17), changes in everyday life (n=13), social impacts (n=5), psychological/emotional impacts (n=11), identity (n=5), and overall impacts and quality of life (n=7). A section on the timeline of treatment and symptoms was also added (n=6).
Conclusions: This research demonstrates the range of impacts associated with gum health. The development of a person-centred measure aiming to capture everyday experiences of individuals with a range of symptoms could be helpful in aiding with communication in clinical settings and treatment plans. Further validation and testing of the measure is required before it can be used in research or clinical settings.
Methods: Twenty-seven participants were recruited (15 female, 12 male; 23-73 years) with a range of symptoms associated with gingivitis (n=15) and periodontal disease (n=12). Semi-structured interviews explored experiences with symptoms and associated impacts. Framework analysis was used to map findings onto the Wilson and Cleary (1995) health-related quality of life model, from which representative domains and items for the new measure were selected. Following this, a preliminary pilot validation study tested the measures wording and relatability.
Results: Greater impacts were reported by those with periodontal disease (severity, extent and frequency of symptoms) than with gingivitis. However, participants from across the continuum expressed similar concerns, with participants with gingivitis also reporting impacts on daily life. The domains (and associated number of items) of the new 64-item gum health experience questionnaire (GHEQ) were: symptoms (n=17), changes in everyday life (n=13), social impacts (n=5), psychological/emotional impacts (n=11), identity (n=5), and overall impacts and quality of life (n=7). A section on the timeline of treatment and symptoms was also added (n=6).
Conclusions: This research demonstrates the range of impacts associated with gum health. The development of a person-centred measure aiming to capture everyday experiences of individuals with a range of symptoms could be helpful in aiding with communication in clinical settings and treatment plans. Further validation and testing of the measure is required before it can be used in research or clinical settings.