Periodontal disease among older people and its impact on oral health‐related quality of life

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the associations between degree of periodontal disease and number of teeth on oral health‐related quality of life among older individuals. Material and methods Randomly selected 804 participants aged ≥70 derived from two cohorts were included in the analysis. Dental examinations and evaluation of OHRQL using the OHIP ‐14 (Oral Health Impact Profile‐14) were performed. After categorisation of the participants according to the extent of periodontitis in three groups (none, localised with <30% of teeth affected, generalised with ≥30% of teeth affected) and the number of teeth, associations between periodontal status and the number of teeth and the OHIP ‐14 scores were analysed. Multivariable regression analyses were used taking into account level of periodontitis, number of teeth, age and sex. Results Among 70‐year‐old men and women, generalised periodontitis showed an association with poor OHRQL . However, a multivariable analysis failed to demonstrate this association ( OR  = 1.02, 95% CI : 0.72‐1.44). In participants with 1‐10 remaining teeth, the OHIP ‐14 score was significantly increased indicating poor OHRQL , compared with participants with ≥21 remaining teeth ( OR  = 1.57, 95% CI : 1.13‐2.19). Similar findings were observed among women aged 70‐92 years. Conclusions Periodontitis did not show an association with poor OHRQL , however, a significant association between the number of teeth and poor OHRQL was found.