Oral health-related quality of life in hospitalised stroke patients

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that impairment of orofacial function following stroke affects the patients' oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). MATERIAL AND METHODS: From the University Hospitals of Geneva, 31 stroke patients (18 men, 13 women, mean age 69.0 ± 12.7 years) with unilateral facial and limb palsy were recruited (patient group, PG). In the study, the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-EDENT was utilised to assess OHRQoL. Further examinations comprised a test of masticatory efficiency and lip force, stroke severity National Institute of Health Stroke Scale and dental state. The control group (CG) consisted of 24 subjects with similar age, gender and dental state. RESULTS: The PG mean OHIP-EDENT sum score was 18.8 ± 15.5 and proved higher than one of the CG, indicating a lower OHRQoL in the PG (p < 0.01). The score of the sub-domains 'functional limitation' and 'physical pain' were significantly higher in PG (p < 0.03 and p < 0.02, respectively). The masticatory efficiency was significantly lower in the PG (p < 0.0001) and was associated with the OHIP-EDENT sum score and its sub-domains, except for 'physical disability'. This effect was not present in the CG. CONCLUSION: The OHRQoL is significantly reduced in hospitalised stroke patients whereby functional impairment seems predominant when compared with psychological and psycho-social aspects.