Longitudinal Associations between Oral Health Impacts and Quality of Life Among a National Cohort of Thai Adults

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 11:172, 2013, DOI: 10.1186/1477-7525-11-172

6 Pages Posted: 14 Aug 2014

See all articles by Vasoontara Yiengprugsawan

Vasoontara Yiengprugsawan

Australian National University (ANU)

Tewarit Somkotra

Chulalongkorn University

Sam-Ang Seubsman

Australian National University (ANU)

Adrian Sleigh

Australian National University (ANU) - National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health

Date Written: October 18, 2013

Abstract

Background: There is limited evidence on the association between oral health and general health in middle-income countries. This study analysed data from 60,569 adult students enrolled at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University and residing throughout Thailand who reported oral health impacts at the 2005 baseline and 2009 health status based on Short Form (SF-8) survey.

Findings: In 2005, 16.4% had difficulty chewing and/or swallowing, 13.4% reported difficulty speaking and/or discomfort with social interaction, and 10.8% of the cohort reported having pain associated with teeth or dentures. Cohort members reporting one or more oral health impacts in 2005 had lower SF-8 mean scores in 2009. In particular, monotonic dose-response gradients in 2005-2009 associations based on multivariate linear regression were found between an increase in number of oral impacts (0, 1, 2, 3) and a decline in SF-8 Physical Component Summary scores (adjusted means of 50.5, 49.2, 48.6, 47.9) as well as SF-8 Mental Component Summary scores (adjusted means of 43.2, 40.9, 40.3, 38.6) in younger cohort members. Similar dose response gradients were found in older cohort members.

Conclusions: We found strong association between oral health impacts and adverse health and quality of life among Thai adults. This finding confirms that oral health is one of the key determinants of population health.

Suggested Citation

Yiengprugsawan, Vasoontara and Somkotra, Tewarit and Seubsman, Sam-Ang and Sleigh, Adrian, Longitudinal Associations between Oral Health Impacts and Quality of Life Among a National Cohort of Thai Adults (October 18, 2013). Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 11:172, 2013, DOI: 10.1186/1477-7525-11-172, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2478851

Vasoontara Yiengprugsawan (Contact Author)

Australian National University (ANU) ( email )

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601
Australia

Tewarit Somkotra

Chulalongkorn University ( email )

Bangkok 10330
Thailand

Sam-Ang Seubsman

Australian National University (ANU) ( email )

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601
Australia

Adrian Sleigh

Australian National University (ANU) - National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health ( email )

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Australia

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