Evaluation of Oral Health-related Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease that destroys neurons and exerts detrimental effects on oral health, apart from its negative physical and psychological consequences. Although there is a bulk of research on oral health in patients with MS, no study has evaluated the quality of life associated with oral health in these patients. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess oral health-related quality of life in patients with MS.

This case-control study was conducted on 103 patients with MS and 103 healthy participants. The subjects in both groups completed standardized Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) questionnaires and assessments of indicators related to oral health behavior. Caries index was also measured and recorded for the subjects in both groups. Finally, the data were analyzed in SPSS software using linear regression, T-test, Mann-Whitney tests.

The oral health-related quality of life was statistically significantly lower in patients with MS, as compared to that in the control group (P=0.032). Moreover, the caries index score was significantly higher in patients with MS (P=0.025).

As evidenced by the obtained results, oral health-related quality of life in patients with MS, who have more dental caries, is not significantly different from that in healthy individuals. Further qualitative studies are needed to shed more light on the problems posed to these patients.