Evaluation of the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Asthmatic Children in year 2012-2013

Background and Aim: The present study investigates the oral health-related quality of life in asthmatic children aged 8-14 years old in Sari city. Materials and Methods: In this case control study, the DMFT and oral health-related quality of life of 56 children aged 8-14 years were investigated (n=28 for each group). The asthma grade of each patient, the duration of asthma, the type of corticosteroid used, and the smoking habits of the parents were recorded in the individual's questionnaire after interviewing and obtaining the relevant information. Children were examined and their dmft/DMFT ratio was recorded. Statistical tests such as Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman’s correlation were used. Results: The results showed that the quality of life in asthmatic children was significantly lower than in the control group, and the dmft/DMFT ratio was higher (P<0.001). Additionally, a reduction in quality of life and an increase in the dmft/DMFT ratio were significantly associated with increased asthma severity. There were no significant differences in quality of life and the dmft/DMFT ratio between children with smoker and non-smoker parents (P=0.852 and P=0.887, respectively). Overall, there was a negative correlation between oral health-related quality of life and the dmft/DMFT ratio (0.76). Conclusion: The oral health-related quality of life and the dmft/DMFT ratio in children with asthma are suboptimal. Additionally, having smoker parents does not affect the quality of life and history of tooth decay in these children.