Oral health-related quality of life in primary Sjögren's Syndrome

Background: Primary Sj & ouml;gren Syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disease that usually affects salivary glands. Research about the impact of oral health in quality of life of patients with pSS is scarce. Objectives: to describe the characteristics of oral involvement inpatients withpSS; To assess quality of life related to oral health (QOL-OH); to determine association between QOL-OH and saliva production, disease activity, and damage. Material and Methods: An observational, analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients aged >= 18 years with pSS were included. Primary outcome was assessed by the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP14sp). The EULAR Sjogren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI), the EULAR Sj & ouml;gren's syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI), the Sjogren's Syndrome Damage Index (SSDI) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for xerostomia, were performed. A dentist evaluated the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Permanent Teeth index (DMFT), O'Leary index (OLI) and Loe & Silnes index (LSI). A multiple linear regression model was performed, taking OHIP14sp as the dependent variable. Results: 51 patients were included. Mean age 54 (+/- 13 years). The OHIP-14sp median was 16 [6-25], xerostomia VAS median was 60 [30-80]. Mean of ESSPRI: 4 (+/- 2.6), ESSDAI median: 0 [0-2], SSDDI median: 3 [2-4]. Oral involvement occurred in 100% of patients, DMFT median: 22 [14-28], OLI median: 21[13-30]. In the univariate analysis, OHIP14sp was significantly associated withESSPRI (beta 2 95%CI 0.72-3.3), xerostomia VAS (beta 0.19 95%CI 0.08-0.29) and category 2 of the LSI (beta: 18 95% CI: 5-31). In the multivariate analysis, OHIP14sp was independently and significantly associated with xerostomia VAS (beta 0.19 95%CI 0.09-0.29) and category 2 of LSI (beta 19 95% CI: 7.7-29.7). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the effects of xerostomia on daily life of patients influencing not only their oral health but also their quality of life.