Objectives: To study the impact of poor periodontal status and diabetes mellitus on OHQoL.
Methods: This preliminary study recruited 80 subjects (DM/non-DM, age and sex matched) referred from Tung Wah Eastern Hospital. Subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire including background information, patient self-reported symptoms and the Chinese short form version of Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP14S) followed by dental and periodontal assessment.
Results: The HbA1c and FPG levels of DM subjects were 8% and 7.9mmol/l respectively. The mean CAL and DMFT for both groups (DM/non-DM) were 3.8mm/3.4mm and 8.8/6.0 respectively. No significant difference was detected in respect of PI%, BOP%, mean PPD and mean CAL between DM and non-DM subjects. No significant difference on the OHIP14S score was detected in both groups (mean score 9.2/10.0). DM patients had significantly higher DMFT (p<0.01) and missing teeth (p=0.02), and these showed significant positive correlation with the OHIP14S score. Positive correlation was detected between CAL and OHIP14S psychological disability subscale within DM subjects (p=0.01). The OHIP14S total scores for DM and non-DM subjects were significantly associated with three of the seven self-reported oral health symptoms (mobile teeth, mucosal pain and problematic denture).
Conclusions: OHQoL of subjects was related to missing teeth and self-reported oral health symptoms. DM subjects showed poorer oral health in terms of higher DMFT and missing teeth. DM subjects presented with high CAL also showed inferior OHQoL (psychological disability). The current data highlighted the importance of promotion and maintenance of oral health in DM patients, thereby allowing them a better OHQoL.