Oral health-related quality of life and xerostomia in type 2 diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a known risk factor for xerostomia. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is a multi-dimensional issue reflecting several effects of the oral condition on the quality of life. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to assess OHRQoL and its relationship with xerostomia severity in type 2 diabetic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 200 patients participated in this cross-sectional study. The Xerostomia Inventory (XI) assessed xerostomia severity and the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire evaluated OHRQoL. In addition, the fasting blood sugar (FBS) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) tests were conducted, and the results were recorded, as well as the disease duration and denture wearing. Data analysis employed the t test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The mean XI score was 22.27 +/-6.92 and the mean OHIP-14 score was 13.76 +/-8.41. The mean FBS, HbA1c and disease duration values were 161.23 +/-49.14 mg/dL, 7.90 +/-1.12% and 11.02 +/-7.78 years, respectively. The OHIP-14 score correlated significantly with the XI score, age, FBS, HbA1c, the disease duration, and denture wearing (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant correlation between OHRQoL and xerostomia severity in patients with type 2 DM. Age, denture wearing, the disease duration, and the medical management of DM also correlated significantly with OHRQoL. Treating both the underlying disease and oral health comorbidities, such as xerostomia, seems to be essential for achieving a better OHRQoL in type 2 diabetic patients.