Impact of Cleft Lip and Palate on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQOL) in Brazilian Patients

Objective: To evaluate self-esteem, satisfaction with facial aesthetics and the impact of oral health on the quality of life of patients with cleft lip and palate aged from 12 years treated at the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies (HRAC), Brazil. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with patients (n=94) with cleft lip and palate, aged 12 years and older, treated at the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The instruments used in this study were: Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale, the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP), and a visual analogue scale of self-perceived facial aesthetics were applied, and socioeconomic and contextual data were collected from all patients. The statistical analysis included Poisson regression with robust variance (RR – rate ratio) and it was performed to evaluate the association between predictors and the outcome oral health related-quality of life. Results: Worse OHRQoL was reported by female patients (RR 1.21; 95%CI: 1.09-1.35) and older individuals (RR 1.25; 95%CI:1.13-1.39). Conclusion: The presence of cleft lip and palate has a negative impact on OHRQoL. Females and older individuals reported worse qualify of life.