Psychosocial impacts of oral epithelial dysplasia

Abstract

Background The psychosocial impact of receiving the diagnosis of oral epithelial dysplasia, which presents up to 3.5% increased annual risk of mouth cancer, remains unknown. Using validated instruments, the present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and existing correlations between anxiety, depression and dental anxiety symptoms and burden on oral health‐related quality of life. Methods A clinical cohort of 82 patients with oral dysplasia was asked to complete the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale and the shortened version of the Oral Health Impact Profile. Spearman's correlation coefficient and regression analyses were performed. Results The participants’ scores were in keeping with the presence of anxiety, depression and emotional distress symptoms in 30%, 16% and 26%, respectively. However, 69% experienced anxiety related to procedures that may be required as part of long‐term management of oral dysplasia (e.g. local anaesthetic injection). The oral health‐related quality of life scores showed 41.5% reporting a recent daily problem due to their oral or dental health. Significant correlations [p >0.05] were found among and between all of the used instruments. Being a female with oral dysplasia also predicted increased odds of indicating higher anxiety and dental anxiety scores than males [p >0.05]. Conclusion Oral dysplasia can adversely impact on the psychosocial well‐being of affected persons. Establishing a causal relationship between the measured variables may, however, be challenging and would need further longitudinal studies.

Integrating Oral Medicine within Saudi Arabia’s Healthcare Systems

“…Dear Editor, I write with reference to the informative review conducted by Bindakhil et al [1] about the essence of oral medicine (OM) in healthcare systems, specifically in Saudi Arabia. This review highlighted the need for multidisciplinary teamwork in OM clinical practices, which frequently include managing oral chronic conditions that could be painful, affecting the oral health-related quality of life and perhaps be life-threatening [2,3].…”