Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Introduction: The assessment of the quality of life (QOL) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is of great importance for health researchers, health planners, and clinical specialists. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the oral health-related quality of life in patients with RA.

Materials and methods: In this case-control study, data were collected by two standard questionnaires filled by 80 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 80 healthy individuals. They were analyzed using independent t-test, chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and Kruskal-Wallis test in SPSS 21.

Results: The mean of Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) score in RA patients and control groups was 1.17± 0.89 and 0.35±0.12, respectively, and the mean of General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) score in patients and control groups was 37.46±9.53 and 53.21±11.35, respectively; 62.5% of the patients got HAQ score more than or equal to 1 (≥1) and 91.2% got GOHAI score less than or equal to 50 (≤50).

Conclusion: The results of the present study suggested that most of the patients with RA had a poor oral health quality of life. Deterioration of disease and aging decrease the GOHAI and the oral health quality of life of patients.