The importance of maintaining good oral health is often overlooked by older people when they think about health problems such as cardiovascular disease, neurological diseases, diabetes and cancer, according to a study from Saudi Arabia.
A compulsory health and long-term care insurance system that is accessible to all is essential for improving the quality of life and reducing the prevalence of diseases, but it is not present everywhere in the world. However, this has a significant impact on the oral health and quality of life of older people, as a cross-sectional study from Riyadh has now found. Socioeconomic and demographic factors were recorded.
methodology
A cross-sectional study was conducted using a translated online questionnaire based on the OHQoL-UK® instrument to assess oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), which also included the use of the Oral Health Quality of Life Scale to assess overall quality of life.
Results
A total of 586 people participated in the study, the majority of whom were over 60 years of age (77.1 percent). The mean OHRQoL score was 3.79. The Social Dental Scale (SDS) had a mean score of 0.71. The General Oral Health Assessment (GOHS) had a mean score of 3.51. The mean Dental Impact Profile (DIP) was 3.12. The subjective indicators of oral health status SOHSI had a mean score of 3.82. The mean Oral Health Benefit of Life Inventory (OHBLI) was 4.04, and the Dental Impact on Daily Living (DIDL) reached a mean score of 4.05. The mean OHRQoL and Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) scores were 3.90 and 3.89, respectively. The Cronbach’s alpha values ranged from 0.854 to 0.939, with an overall questionnaire reliability of 0.977, indicating good reliability of the study instrument.
conclusion
Older adults had lower OHRQoL compared to younger adults, which was particularly influenced by factors such as health insurance coverage, monthly income, and education level. It is important to develop health programs specifically tailored to older adults to maintain their overall health and quality of life.
About the study: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41405-024-00244-1
Source: nature.com