To determine the relationship between xerostomia and oral health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Two hundred patients with rheumatoid arthritis were assessed using Fox and OHIP-14 questionnaires concerning xerostomia and oral health-related quality of life, respectively. The sum of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) was determined via an intra-oral examination. In addition, intergroup comparisons were evaluated using t test, chi-square, regression, and Tukey analysis.
Among rheumatoid arthritis patients, 51% had been afflicted with xerostomia. We found a statistically significant relationship between xerostomia and oral health-related quality of life (p-value=.004), as xerostomia cases have significantly worse oral health-related quality of life. Also, there was a statistically significant association between oral health-related quality of life and gender as well as DMFT.
Because there seem to be a high prevalence of xerostomia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, screening in such population is highly recommended. Therefore, educational programs and/or workshops should be encouraged among healthcare providers to prevent worsening of oral health-related quality of life.