Oral health‐related quality of life is more strongly correlated with mental health than with oral health in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a leading cause of neurological disability in young and middle-aged populations, associated with substantial burden of illness.Because a growing literature now shows that this burden extends to poorer oral health, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) may be reduced as well.Objectives: To test whether people with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) have poorer OHRQoL than demographically matched controls, and to establish which variables are associated with worse OHRQoL. Materials and Methods:In total, 64 people with RRMS and 69 demographically matched controls participated. Both groups completed the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), a validated measure of OHRQoL, as well as an objective oral health examination performed by a qualified dentist, a measure of dental-related functionality and a measure of mental health.Results: OHRQoL was significantly poorer in the RRMS relative to the control group.However, although poorer OHRQoL in the RRMS group was moderately associated with objectively assessed oral health (r = .30), it was more strongly associated with mental health (r = .61). For the control group, the reverse pattern of association was evident, with OHRQoL more strongly associated with oral health (r = .48) relative to mental health (r = .20). Conclusion:People with RRMS report poorer OHRQoL than demographically matched controls, but these appraisals are more strongly linked to mental health than to objective oral health indicators. K E Y W O R D S multiple sclerosis, neurological disorder, oral health, oral health-related quality of life, wellbeing | 63 NANGLE et al. How to cite this article: Nangle MR, Manchery N, Swayne A, Boocock H, Blum S, Henry JD. Oral health-related quality of life is more strongly correlated with mental health than with oral health in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

A Systematic Literature Review on Inflammatory Markers in the Saliva of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Cause or a Consequence of Periodontal Diseases

“…Numerous empirical studies have explored the potential link between MS and poor oral health, revealing a greater occurrence of dental caries, PD, and temporomandibular joint dysfunctions among MS patients [ 10 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Furthermore, a higher incidence of orofacial disorders, including trigeminal neuralgia, muscle fatigue, and facial paresis, has been noted in individuals with MS [ 24 ].…”