Comparative assessment of oral health related quality-of-life between rural and urban chronic periodontitis patients

Purpose: The aim of the present investigation was to assess and compare the oral health-related quality-of-life (OHRQoL) in the rural and urban chronic periodontitis patients of Punjab using short questionnaire of oral health impact profile (OHIP-14). Materials and Methods: A total of 100 patients suffering from chronic periodontitis with pocket depth ≥4 mm in at least one proximal site and a minimum of 20 teeth were screened and divided into two groups - rural and urban (50 participants in each group). Clinical parameters, that is, plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), pocket probing depth (PPD), and OHRQoL were assessed in all patients using OHIP-14 questionnaire. Results: Results showed that mean PI (2.11 ± 0.635), GI (1.61 ± 0.45), PPD (3.12 ± 0.692), and OHIP-14 (11.49 ± 9.733) scores were significantly higher in the rural population as compared to urban population (1.69 ± 0.45, 1.56 ± 0.355, 3.30 ± 0.973, and 5.88 ± 5.588) suffering from chronic periodontitis. Most affected domain in case of the rural population was functional limitation whereas psychological disability was most affected in the urban population. Statistically significant positive correlation was observed between the periodontal parameters and OHIP-14 (P < 0.001) in both the groups. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, periodontal status and OHRQoL are significantly correlated with each other in both rural and urban groups.