What are the key endodontic factors associated with oral health-related quality of life?

Aim: To determine the associations between endodontic factors and oral health-related quality of life (OHQoL), controlling for socio-demographics, pain and other oral health clinical factors.

Methodology: OHQoL assessments were conducted amongst a consecutive sample of 412 Chinese patients requiring endodontic treatment employing the short-form Oral Heath Impact Profile (OHIP-14). Information on (i) number of teeth requiring endodontic treatment, (ii) tooth type, (iii) retreatment requirements, (iv) periapical radiolucency assessment and (v) diagnostic classification was obtained. In addition, socio-demographic information (age, gender, educational attainment and family income), pain ratings on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and other clinical oral health status information were collected.

Results: Bivariate analyses identified association between number of teeth requiring endodontic treatment and summary OHIP-14 score (P < 0.01) and four of its seven domain scores (P < 0.05). Need for endodontic retreatment was associated with summary OHIP-14 score (P < 0.05) and two of its seven domain scores (P < 0.05). In regression analyses having controlled for socio-demographics, other clinical factors and pain rating amongst 15 confounding variables, patients requiring endodontic treatment for multiple teeth were more than twice as likely to have poor OHQoL (upper quintile OHIP-14 scores) compared with those requiring endodontic treatment for a single tooth (OR = 2.16, 95% CI 1.17, 3.98, P < 0.05). Pain VAS rating and age also emerged as significant factors associated with poor OHQoL in the regression analysis.

Conclusion: OHQoL is compromised amongst patients requiring endodontic treatment. Number of teeth requiring endodontic treatment is associated with poor OHQoL, controlling for socio-demographic and other oral health clinical and pain factors.