Comparison of Oral Health Status and the Quality of Life in Haemodialysis Patients with Less and More than Four Years of Treatment

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the quality of life and oral health indicators in patients undergoing haemodialysis considering the influence treatment duration. Materials and Methods: One hundred patients were divided into two groups according to the duration of haemodialysis: (1) 4 years (n = 60) and (2) ? 4 years (n = 40). Clinical examination of the oral cavity was performed and QoL was assessed using a validated questionnaire. Results: In comparison with group 2, statistically significantly higher mean scores were observed in group 1 in the quality of life domains of psychological (p = 0.003), social relationships (p ? 0.001) and environment (p = 0.013) as well as in total quality of life (p = 0.001) and general health (p = 0.010). Similarly, evaluation of the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index and the Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth index demonstrated worse oral health for group 2 (p = 0.029; p = 0.012, respectively). For both groups, there was a negative correlation between these oral health indicators and psychological and social relationships domains, as well as with the total quality of life score. Conclusion: This study showed that poor oral health indicators may be a reflection of an unsatisfactory overall quality of life in patients undergoing haemodialysis for a prolonged period of time. Keywords: end-stage renal disease, haemodialysis, oral health, quality of life