Association Between Masticatory Function and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Partial Maxillectomy Patients

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate associations between objectively and subjectively measured masticatory function and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in partial maxillectomy patients wearing dentomaxillary prostheses. Materials and Methods: A sample of 32 consecutively treated patients who had undergone a partial maxillectomy were enrolled. Masticatory function was assessed using two objective measures and one subjective measure. The objective measures were masticatory performance (MP), which was estimated by measuring the glucose extracted from gummy jelly, and food mixing ability (a*), which was assessed using color-changeable chewing gum. The subjective measure was perceived chewing ability, rated as masticatory score (MS) based on the patient's responses to a food intake questionnaire. OHRQoL was assessed using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Relationships between the masticatory function measures and OHRQoL were analyzed using Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Results: The correlation coefficients (r) obtained were 0.57 (P = .001) for MS and GOHAI, 0.247 (P = .173) for MP and GOHAI, −0.173 (P = .343) for a* and GOHAI, 0.517 (P = .002) for MP and a*, 0.199 (P = .257) for MP and MS, and 0.019 (P = .919) for a* and MS. Conclusion: Subjective MS showed a significant positive correlation with GOHAI score, suggesting that perceived chewing ability could be an important factor in the estimation of OHRQoL in partial maxillectomy patients.