Quality of life in patients with oral leukoplakia

Background Oral leukoplakia (OL) is the most common oral potentially malignant disorder, yet despite its chronic and potentially disabling nature, the literature concerning impacts of OL on quality of life (QoL) is limited. This study aimed to evaluate QoL in subjects with OL compared to controls using QoL questionnaires. Methods Fifty individuals with OL and 50 controls matched for age, gender, smoking, and alcohol use were administered the Short Generic Health Questionnaire (SF-12) and the discipline-specific Oral Potentially Malignant Disorder Questionnaire (OPMDQ). Responses were compared between the two groups. Results Subjects with OL reported poorer QoL scores compared to controls in two domains Role limitations due to physical problems and Pain of the SF-12 questionnaire, and in two domains Difficulty with diagnosis and Effect of treatment on daily life and in the overall scores of the OPMDQ. Females reported poorer QoL in the overall OPMD QoL score and in the domains of Physical and function limitation and Psychological and social well-being, while older individuals in the domains of Physical and function limitation and Effect of treatment on daily life. Non-alcohol drinkers and subjects with dysplastic or non-homogeneous OLs also reported poorer QoL scores. Conclusions Quality of life assessments provide useful insight into the impact of OL on an individual's life and opportunity to improve clinical care.