Oral health related quality of life depending on oral health and specific factors in patients after lung transplantation.

INTRODUCTION

Patients after lung transplantation (LuTx) were found to present oral health deficiencies. The investigation of potentially underlying or influencing factors appears to be of clinical relevance.

OBJECTIVES

Aim of this study was to evaluate the oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) in a group of patients after LuTx and compare this to a healthy control group (HC). Furthermore, the influence of dental and periodontal condition, as well as specific factors like immunosuppression, time after LuTx and causal underlying disease should be investigated.

METHODS

The OHRQoL was assessed using the German short form of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP G14). Dental examination included the decayed (D-), missing (M-), and filled (F-) teeth index (DMF-T). Periodontal condition was classified based on clinical attachment loss and/or pocket depth as no/mild or moderate/severe periodontitis.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Mann-Whitney-U-test, Kruskal-Wallis test (P < .05).

RESULTS

A total of 60 patients after LuTx and 70 HC were included. The DMF-T, D-T, and M-T as well as periodontal disease severity was significantly higher in LuTx group (P < .01). The OHIP G14 differed neither clinically relevant, nor statistically significant (LuTx: 1.70 ± 2.70, HC: 1.54 ± 2.86, P = .15). While in HC the DMF-T, M-T, and periodontal condition had an influence on OHIP G14 values (P < .05), in LuTx no influence was detected for dental and periodontal condition as well as specific factors investigated.

CONCLUSIONS

The oral health perception of LuTx patients does not reflect the apparent oral health deficiencies. Consequently, sensitization and motivation for an increased dental behavior is needed.