Oral health-related quality of life in primary Sjögren's Syndrome

Primary Sjögren Syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disease that usually affects salivary glands. Research about the impact of oral health in quality of life of patients with pSS is scarce.

to describe the characteristics of oral involvement in patients with pSS; To assess quality of life related to oral health (QOL-OH); to determine association between QOL-OH and saliva production, disease activity, and damage.

An observational, analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients aged ≥18 years with pSS were included. Primary outcome was assessed by the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP14sp). The EULAR Sjogren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI), the EULAR Sjögren's syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI), the Sjogren's Syndrome Damage Index (SSDI) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for xerostomia, were performed. A dentist evaluated the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Permanent Teeth index (DMFT), O'Leary index (OLI) and Loe & Silnes index (LSI). A multiple linear regression model was performed, taking OHIP14sp as the dependent variable.

51 patients were included. Mean age 54 (±13 years). The OHIP-14sp median was 16 [6-25], xerostomia VAS median was 60 [30-80]. Mean of ESSPRI: 4 (± 2.6), ESSDAI median: 0 [0-2], SSDDI median: 3 [2-4]. Oral involvement occurred in 100% of patients, DMFT median: 22 [14-28], OLI median: 21[13-30]. In the univariate analysis, OHIP14sp was significantly associated with ESSPRI (β2 95%CI 0.72-3.3), xerostomia VAS (β0.19 95%CI 0.08-0.29) and category 2 of the LSI (β: 18 95% CI: 5-31). In the multivariate analysis, OHIP14sp was independently and significantly associated with xerostomia VAS (β0.19 95%CI 0.09-0.29) and category 2 of LSI (β19 95% CI: 7.7-29.7).

These findings demonstrate the effects of xerostomia on daily life of patients influencing not only their oral health but also their quality of life.