Validation of Nepalese Oral Health Impact Profile14 and Assessment of Its Impact in Patients with Oral Submucous Fibrosis in Nepal.

BACKGROUND

Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) is one of the most internationally used oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) questionnaire available in various languages. The study was aimed to validate Nepalese version of OHIP-14 and to assess impact of quality of life (QoL) in patients with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF).

METHODS

An interventional OHRQoL study was conducted among OSF patients visiting Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan using OHIP-14 after translation and validation process. Following the baseline questionnaire, 74 patients were treated with dexamethasone and hyaluronidase for 6 weeks and followed up for 6 months during which OHIP-14 was again administered.

RESULTS

For concurrent validity, Nepalese OHIP-14 scores were associated with self-perceived oral health status, self-perceived dental treatment need and satisfaction with oral health status. For internal reliability, inter-item correlation coefficient varied from 0.2-0.8. Corrected item-total correlation coefficients were between 0.43-0.80. Cronbach's alpha was 0.90. Commercial tobacco product chewing with arecanut (Gutka Ⓡ ) was seen among 45% with median frequency and duration of 7.5(0-20) times/day and 10(0-60) years, respectively. Median OHIP-14 score at baseline 18(0-45), was significantly (p<0.001) different from 6 months' follow-up [5(0-15)]. Impact score at baseline was mainly influenced by age (r(s) =0.32, p=0.005), frequency of habit (r(s) =0.44, p<0.001) and duration of habit (r(s) =0.31, p=0.006). s

CONCLUSIONS

Nepalese version of OHIP-14 is a valid and, reliable instrument to measure OHRQoL in OSF patients. OHRQoL in OSF patients can be improved after professional treatment regime.