[Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Rare Diseases with Oral Manifestations].

OBJECTIVES

In 2013 the German Ministry of Health initiated a "National Plan of Action for People with Rare Diseases" (NAMSE), in order to improve medical treatment for people with rare diseases. The aim of NAMSE is to set up appropriate medical care for those affected, as well as to obtain information on the current state of care for these patients. The aim of this study was to obtain information on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of people with rare diseases with oral involvement.

METHODS

In the context of the NAMSE plan, special consultation times were introduced for people with rare diseases with oral involvement. Using the standardized OHIP 14 questionnaire, specific information was acquired on OHRQoL, as was as general information on the disease in question.

RESULTS

During consultation hours, 50 people were treated who, on average, travelled 143 km each way. On average, patients had to wait 5 years before the final diagnosis of their rare disease was reached. The mean OHIP 14 overall score achieved was 26.4.

DISCUSSION

The long distances travelled show the effort involved for patients, especially for those who come for a series of sessions. This has led to a call for a nationwide system of special consultation sessions for rare diseases with oral involvement - something NAMSE has also called for. There seems to be a markedly worse OHRQoL among all our patients. Overall, rare diseases with oral involvement appear to benefit more from an earlier diagnosis of the disease than do rare diseases without any oral involvement.