The purpose of this study was to translate, validate and compare the Oral Health Impact Profile 14 (OHIP-14) and the Geriatric Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) for use among Polish elderly.
Method:
The subjects were community-dwelling, cognitively healthy, and independently living people over the age of 60 years. Both the OHIP-14 and the GOHAI were translated and pilot-tested according to the EORTC guidelines. All subjects filled out the OHIP-14, the GOHAI, and a demographic questionnaire. The number of dental functional units, as well as stimulated salivary flow rate was determined for each subject. Standard validity and reliability analyses were performed. Each subject was assessed using the designated questionnaires right before treatment, 2, 12 and 24 weeks post treatment. Test-retest was assessed in a sample of randomly selected patients (n=40) by comparing the results obtained at 12 and 13 weeks post treatment (one additional assessment point).
Result:
The studied group comprised 200 subjects (107 females – 53.5%) with a mean age±SD 69.2±8.5. Both the OHIP-14 and the GOHAI demonstrated positive internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.85 and 0.87 respectively), as well as acceptable test-retest properties (ICC values 0.87-0.92 and 0.83-0.91 respectively). The two measures showed good responsiveness to change over time (p<0.0001). Satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity in multi-trait scaling analyses was seen for both questionnaires.
The total scores of both questionnaires were strongly correlated (r=0.79, p<0.0001). However the OHIP-14 showed a greater number of 0 scores (25.0% vs. 9.7%; p=0.0001). Both tools were able to discriminate between participants differing in age, perception of temporomandibular joint pain, xerostomia and dental functional status.
Conclusion:
Both questionnaires in their Polish language versions are reliable and valid measures for assessing OHRQoL in elderly patients. However the GOHAI seems to be more sensitive to within-subject changes.