Effect of personality traits on the oral health-related quality of life in patients with oral mucosal disease.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between oral health-related quality of life, the nature of mucosal disease, and personality traits.

METHODS

One hundred forty-nine patients seeking care for oral mucosal disease were recruited in this cross-sectional study conducted at the University Clinic of Dentistry in Vienna from June to December 2013. All participants agreed in answering two questionnaires: the Oral Health Impact Profile German version (OHIP-G), which assessed the perceived limitations of oral health-related quality of life and the Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), which evaluated five personality domains. A multiple linear regression was applied to examine the potential influence on OHIP scores.

RESULTS

Bullous/erosive mucosal diseases and oral lichen planus patients (n = 73, 49% of total) reported the highest impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHIP total score 49.3 ± 35.7, p = 0.02). A highly significant influence of neuroticism, as a personality trait, was observed on oral health-related quality of life (p = 0.001). Women had significantly more restrictions (OHIP score 45.3 ± 32.2) compared to men (32.6 ± 30.1, p = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

Psychosocial factors such as personality traits, especially neuroticism, are significantly associated with quality of life ratings in patients with mucosal disease.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Since mucosal diseases impact patient's daily living and quality of life while affected by their psychological profiles, this should be considered when formulating a therapeutic approach.