Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Heart Transplant Recipients: A Comparative Study

Oral health problems can have potential effects beyond the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral health -related quality of life in heart transplant recipients, compare the results with systemically healthy individuals, and investigate the effects of periodontal clinical parameters and periodontal and oral status on oral health-related quality of life.

For this retrospective study, we included heart transplant recipients who had previously undergone periodontal evaluation and age -and sex -matched systemically healthy individuals. Oral health -related quality of life was measured using the Oral Health Impact Profile -14. Periodontal status and oral health status were assessed using the following parameters: plaque index, bleeding on probing, probing depth, clinical attachment loss, gingival recession, and decayed, missing, and filled teeth index. We used the Mann -Whitney U test, χ2 test, and logistic regression analyses for statistical analyses.

No significant differences were observed in total Oral Health Impact Profile -14 scores between heart transplant recipients and healthy individuals (P > . ⁰⁵ ). However, mean probing depth, gingival recession, clinical attachment loss, and plaque index scores were significantly higher among heart transplant recipients than among healthy individuals. The number of missing teeth were also significantly higher (P < . ⁰⁵ )in the transplant group. Logistic regression analysis did not identify any variable with a significant impact on oral health -related quality of life.

Although periodontal disease parameters appeared more pronounced in heart transplant recipients, this was not reflected in oral health -related quality of life scores. The asymptomatic nature of periodontal deterioration and pretransplant dental procedures may contribute to this outcome. Our results underscored the importance of preventive, structured, and interdisciplinary oral care in this medically vulnerable population.