How Does Gender Influence Oral Health and Quality of Life?

Abstract

Background In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of ageing people and women have a longer life expectancy compared to men. This study aims to compare oral health parameters and conduct a psychometric assessment using standardised questionnaires in a group of the elderly of both gender aged 65 and more.MethodsThe survey involved 500 residents of Wroclaw, aged 65 and older, of both gender. There was an oral and questionnaire examination performed. QoL was evaluated using Euro-Quality of Life, Oral Health Impact Profile-14 and Patient Health Questionnaire, 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.ResultsThe prevalence of xerostomia assesed by the Challacombe scale was diagnosed significantly more frequently in women then men. (36.9% vs. 25.5%; p = 0.076). The men 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 statistically significant differences in terms of QoL evaluated by EQ-5D, EQ-5D VAS or OHIP-14 questionnaires in both subgroups (6.7±1.9 vs. 7.1±2.2, 66.1±18.6 vs. 67.9±20.9, 8.5±14.0 vs. 7.2±12.9; p > 0.05). Only women had higher severity of depressive symptoms measured using the PHQ-9 questionnaire (4.0±4.1 vs. 2.8±3.8; p<0.001).ConclusionIt 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.