Effect of personality traits on the oral health-related quality of life in patients with oral mucosal disease

Objectives The aimof this study was to assess the relationship between oral health-related quality of life, the nature of mucosal disease, and personality traits. Methods One hundred forty-nine patients seeking care for oral mucosal disease were recruited in this cross-sectional study conducted at the University Clinic of Dentistry in Vienna from June to December 2013. All participants agreed in answering two questionnaires: the Oral Health Impact Profile German version (OHIP-G), which assessed the perceived limitations of oral health-related quality of life and the Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), which evaluated five personality domains. A multiple linear regression was applied to examine the potential influence on OHIP scores. Results Bullous/erosive mucosal diseases and oral lichen planus patients (n=73, 49% of total) reported the highest impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHIP total score 49.3 +/- 35.7, p=0.02). A highly significant influence of neuroticism, as a personality trait, was observed on oral health-related quality of life (p=0.001). Women had significantly more restrictions (OHIP score 45.3 +/- 32.2) compared to men (32.6 +/- 30.1, p=0.009). Conclusions Psychosocial factors such as personality traits, especially neuroticism, are significantly associated with quality of life ratings in patients with mucosal disease. Clinical relevance Since mucosal diseases impact patient's daily living and quality of life while affected by their psychological profiles, this should be considered when formulating a therapeutic approach.