Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Among a Large National Cohort of 87,134 Thai Adults

Health Quality Life Outcomes, Vol. 9, No. 1, June 13, 2011

8 Pages Posted: 13 Jul 2011 Last revised: 12 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

Thai Cohort Study Team

Independent

Date Written: June 13, 2011

Abstract

Background: Oral health has been of interest in many low and middle income countries due to its impact on general health and quality of life. But there are very few population-based reports of adult Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in developing countries. To address this knowledge gap for Thailand, we report oral health findings from a national cohort of 87,134 Thai adults aged between 15 and 87 years and residing all over the country.

Methods: In 2005, a comprehensive health questionnaire was returned by distance learning cohort members recruited through Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University. OHRQoL dimensions included were discomfort speaking, swallowing, chewing, social interaction and pain. We calculated multivariate (adjusted) associations between OHRQoL outcomes, and sociodemographic, health behaviour and dental status.

Results: Overall, discomfort chewing (15.8%), social interaction (12.5%), and pain (10.6%) were the most commonly reported problems. Females were worse off for chewing, social interaction and pain. Smokers had worse OHRQoL in all dimensions with Odds Ratios (OR) ranging from 1.32 to 1.51. Having less than 20 teeth was strongly associated with difficulty speaking (OR = 6.43), difficulty swallowing (OR = 6.27), and difficulty chewing (OR = 3.26).

Conclusion: Self-reported adverse oral health correlates with individual function and quality of life. Outcomes are generally worse among females, the poor, smokers, drinkers and those who have less than 20 teeth. Further longitudinal study of the cohort analysed here will permit assessment of causal determinants of poor oral health and the efficacy of preventive programs in Thailand.

Keywords: oral health-related quality of life, oral health, tooth loss, cohort study, Thailand

JEL Classification: I00, I10

Suggested Citation

Yiengprugsawan, Vasoontara and Somkotra, Tewarit and Seubsman, Sam-Ang and Sleigh, Adrian and Team, Thai Cohort Study, Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Among a Large National Cohort of 87,134 Thai Adults (June 13, 2011). Health Quality Life Outcomes, Vol. 9, No. 1, June 13, 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1883987

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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