Oral health-related quality of life depending on dental and periodontal health in different patients before and after liver transplantation

Abstract

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) depending on dental and periodontal health of different patients before and after liver transplantation (pre- and postLTx) compared to a healthy control group (HC).

Methods

OHRQoL was rated using the German short form of Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP G14). To estimate dental health, the decayed (D-T), missing (M-T), and filled (F-T) teeth index (DMF-T) was used. Periodontal health was classified as healthy/mild, moderate, or severe periodontitis. The following statistics are used: Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, chi-square test, and Fisher test (α = 5%).

Results

A total of 24 preLTx, 47 postLTx, and 75 HC patients were included. Significant differences in DMF-T, D-T, M-T, and F-T scores were detected between groups (p < 0.001). Prevalence of periodontitis was comparable between groups (p = 0.340). OHRQoL was reduced in pre- and postLTx (OHIP G14 preLTx 4.2 [1.5; 0–4.0], postLTx 4.1 [1; 0–5.0], HC 1.4 [0; 0–2.0]; p = 0.003), without associations to their oral status (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

These preliminary findings show a reduced OHRQoL without associations to their oral status, which might indicate an influence of potential disease-related factors on OHRQoL. Further studies with larger groups are necessary to verify this observation.

Clinical relevance

A special dental care of patients before and after LTx is needed, including a comprehensive assessment of the individual patient's OHRQoL.

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