Abstract
Methods
A cross-sectional study design with secondary database analysis was adopted. Information about oral health-related variables
in adults aged 18–64 years was collected from the National Health Interview Survey and quality-of-life data from the Short-Form
Health Survey (SF-36®). Univariate and multivariate regression analysis was used to determine risk factors for oral health and associations between
oral health and eight domains of quality of life defined by the SF-36.
in adults aged 18–64 years was collected from the National Health Interview Survey and quality-of-life data from the Short-Form
Health Survey (SF-36®). Univariate and multivariate regression analysis was used to determine risk factors for oral health and associations between
oral health and eight domains of quality of life defined by the SF-36.
Results
Gender (P < 0.001), marital status (P < 0.001), monthly income (P < 0.001), disease history (P < 0.001), betel nut chewing (P < 0.001), oral hygiene (P < 0.001), oral health status (P < 0.001), and dental care utilization (P = 0.001) had significant effects on general health as an aspect of quality of life; gender (P < 0.001), marital status (divorced, P < 0.001), income level (20,000–80,000 NTD, P < 0.001), disease history (P < 0.001), oral hygiene, oral health-related food choice limitations (P < 0.001), and dental care utilization (P < 0.001) had significant effects on general mental health. Subjects who practiced dental self-care with tooth brushing had
significantly higher social functioning scores than those who did not (P < 0.001). Significant differences were also found in scale items for physical functioning, role limitations due to physical
health, bodily pain, vitality, and role limitations due to emotional problems (all P < 0.001).
significantly higher social functioning scores than those who did not (P < 0.001). Significant differences were also found in scale items for physical functioning, role limitations due to physical
health, bodily pain, vitality, and role limitations due to emotional problems (all P < 0.001).
Conclusions
Demographic (i.e., age, gender, and marital status and income levels) and oral health-related factors (i.e., oral hygiene,
dental visits, disease history, and lifestyle factors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and betel nut chewing) are all
significantly associated with oral health-related quality of life in Taiwanese adults.
dental visits, disease history, and lifestyle factors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and betel nut chewing) are all
significantly associated with oral health-related quality of life in Taiwanese adults.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s11136-012-0205-8
- Authors
- Tze-Fang Wang, School of Nursing, National Yang Ming University, No. 155, Section 2, Li-Nong St., Shi-Pai, Taipei, 112 Taiwan
- Chyuan Chou, John Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Yu Shu, School of Nursing, National Yang Ming University, No. 155, Section 2, Li-Nong St., Shi-Pai, Taipei, 112 Taiwan
- Journal Quality of Life Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2649
- Print ISSN 0962-9343