Article

Objectives: To explore the influence of socio-demographic and clinical oral
health factors on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients after
stroke, and to monitor OHRQoL outcomes following the provision of an in-hospital
oral health intervention programme. Design: OHRQoL was measured before and after
randomization and provision of oral health promotion interventions in a
prospective clinical trial. Subjects: Eighty-one patients admitted to a stroke
rehabilitation ward. Methods: OHRQoL was assessed using the Oral Health Impact
Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and Oral Health Transition Scale upon admission and 3 weeks
later following provision of an oral health promotion programme. Potential
factors were examined for their association with OHRQoL outcomes. Results: Lack
of a regular daily brushing habit was significantly associated with 6 of 8
transition scale items (p < 0.01) at baseline, while significant improvements in
OHRQoL were observed over the course of the clinical trial for all patients as a
whole (p < 0.05). Conclusion: OHRQoL is compromised following stroke and may be
influenced by the lack of a regular daily brushing habit during hospitalization.
The early re-establishment of an oral hygiene protocol is a priority in stroke
rehabilitation wards in order to improve clinical oral health and OHRQoL.

Langue : ANGLAIS