Gender-wise comparison of oral health quality of life and its relationship with oral health parameters among elderly from Wroclaw, south-west Poland

Abstract

Background In recent years, there has been an increase of aging population with longer life expectancy in females. This study aims to compare some oral health parameters and quality of life in the elderly. Methods The survey involved 500 urban residents (Wroclaw, Poland) aged 65 and older, of both gender. Socio-demografic data were assessed by self-reported questionnaire. Clinical examination included oral health assessment by the World Health Organization criteria with extension and oral dryness (Chalacombe scale). Quality of Life (QoL) was evaluated using Euro-Quality of Life, Oral Health Impact Profile-14 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9, which were validated for the Polish population. The relationship strength between psychometric scale scores and sociodemographic and clinical factors was determined by calculating Spearman’s linear correlation coefficient values and regression coefficient values. Results There was no gender-wise differences in oral health parameters, except for a higher number of decayed teeth in males (DT 1.9±3.2 vs 1.2±2.4; p = 0.34). Oral dryness was diagnosed significantly more frequently in females then males (36.9% vs. 25.5%; p = 0.076). The males were significantly more likely to have high treatment needs (36.1% vs. 26.9%; p = 0.032) and they required urgent dental treatment (7.2% vs. 2.8%; p = 0.022). There were no significant differences in terms of QoL evaluated by EQ-5D, EQ-5D VAS or OHIP-14 questionnaires between males and females (0.832±0.194 vs 0.855±0.197, 67.9±10.9 vs 66.1±18.6, 7.2±12.9 vs 8.5±14.0, respectively; p > 0.05). However, females presented the higher severity of depressive symptoms measured by the PHQ-9 questionnaire (4.0±4.1 vs. 2.8±3.8; p<0.001). Conclusion It can be concluded that the independent predictors which significantly affect the high QoL scores on the EQ-5D scale were found to be female gender, age below 75, high or middle income, independence in daily life, a low number of comorbidities, lack of oral treatment needs.

Reliability and Validity of a Lithuanian Version of the Oral Health Impact Profile—A Study in Patients with Stage III–IV Periodontitis

“…Sex-related significant difference in patients was found only in the dimension of Psychosocial Impacts ; women were more likely to report oral illness of a psychosocial nature than men. This finding is in accordance with conclusions reported by several other authors [ 23 , 44 , 45 ]. Difference in the perception of psychosocial impacts of OHRQoL on daily activities between the sexes may be caused by individual and subjective concepts related to beauty and aesthetic standards, imposed by the social demands and personal needs [ 45 ].…”

Self-Reported Reasons for Activity Limitations According to Age and Sex in Community-Dwelling Stroke Survivors

“…We speculate that the higher prevalence of activity limitations due to dental or oral problems in women than in men may be associated with the tendency of men to ignore oral health more often than women do [31]. A previous study reported no significant differences between men and women in oral health parameters among older adults, which is consistent with the results of our study [32]. Older women reported more back or neck problems as the reasons for activity limitations compared to men.…”

The Chinese version of the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire among college students: factor structure and measurement invariance across genders

“…In a cross-sectional study of Turkish dental patients using the OHIP-14 scale, it was found that the OHRQoL of male dental patients was higher than that of female patients [ 19 ]. In a study investigating the gender comparison of OHRQoL and its relationship with oral health parameters in the elderly in Wroclaw, southwestern Poland, no gender differences in oral health parameters were found [ 20 ]. Considering the contradictory results, there was a need to determine the invariance of the measurement of the OHIP-14 in males and females and to determine whether the differences between the groups shown by the study results were actual differences or due to measurements.…”