Implications of β-thalassemia on oral health status in patients: A cross-sectional study

β-Thalassemia is a chronic disease of autosomal recessive origin that is identified by the presence of a severe form of anemia. This hematological disease has been shown to directly influence a person's physical as well as psychological well-being along with their families.

This study aimed to find an association between dental health status and oral health-related quality of life (QoL) among children who have been diagnosed with β-thalassemia.

This prospective cross-sectional study was carried out in the dental outpatient department; blood bank and pediatric outpatient departments that were associated with the primary institute. All study participants were age-ranged from 3 to 15 years. Informed written consent was obtained from caregivers or parents of all the study participants. This study was conducted for a total duration of 1 year (from June 2020 to June 2021). All study participants were categorized into two groups: (a) Group I (n = 150) comprised children who were diagnosed with β-thalassemia and (b) Group II (n = 150) comprised normal controls. Exclusion criteria in the study included children suffering from any systemic disease that predisposes them to dental caries or periodontal diseases. The intra-oral examination was performed using Decayed-Missing-Filled Teeth Index (DMFT/dmft Index) and Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHI-S). Assessment of QoL was done by using the "Child Perceptions Questionnaire for children." Collected data were recorded in Microsoft Excel workbook, 2007. Statistical comparison between both the groups was performed by using statistical tools such as the Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, independent t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test. The probability values lesser than 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.

Maxillofacial findings-rodent facies, saddle nose, lip incompetence, pale oral mucosa, anterior open-bite, lower anterior teeth crowding, and maxillary anterior teeth spacing or crowding-were seen. Class II malocclusion was present in significant numbers of subjects. On comparing dmft/DMFT scores, no significance was observed while on comparing OHI-S index, statistical significance was seen. A statistically significant difference in the QoL was noted between thalassemic children and the control group.

Thalassemic children showed a significant association between dental health and QoL.