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Introduction: The quality of life
related to oral health is an important measure of the disease and the
outcome of therapeutic interventions. Periodontitis is an inflammatory
disease that is associated with the general state of the patient's
organism and negatively affects the quality of life.
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of basic periodontal
therapy on the quality of life in elderly patients with periodontitis.
Materials and methods: A total of 88 patients with periodontitis
were randomly assigned to the group (n=44) who underwent basic therapy,
while the control group (n=44) did not receive any treatment. The
protocol included filling out a questionnaire OHIP-14 prior to and one
month after the treatment, clinical examination and basic periodontal
therapy. Patients also filled up additional questions about the gingival
health as well as the impact of periodontal disease on the quality of
life.
Results: Clinical periodontal parameters did not show a significant
difference between the groups at the beginning of the study. Improvement
of all clinical parameters showing the periodontium state and a
significant difference between the investigated groups (p<0.05), as well
as in the treated group before and after treatment (p<0.001) was noted
at the checkup. Statistically significant changes (p<0.001) like food
impaction, avoiding the intake of certain foods, bad breath, avoiding
laughing, and the presence of an abscess were recorded mainly in the
treated group. Gingival health was rated "bad" or "very bad" with 42.73%
of respondents. The impact of periodontitis on everyday activities is
expressed by a simple questionnaire. All patients who answered "often"
or "always" were considered to have the most common problems associated
with these activities.
Conclusion: The basic periodontal therapy has significantly affected
the quality of life in elderly patients with periodontitis. Significant
differences between the responses before and after treatment were
identified.
Key words:
elderly people, periodontitis, quality of life, OHIP
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Address of correspondence:
Marija Bradić-Vasić, DDS, PhD student
Gogoljeva 17, 21000 Novi Sad, Srbija
Phone: 069/5032767
E-mail:marijabradic89@gmail.com
Copyright © 2018 by The Editorial Council of The Acta
Stomatologica Naissi |