Testing a model of the relationship between gender, ethnicity, clinical status and impact in older adults from minority ethnic groups

OBJECTIVE: To identify the relationship between indicators of self-assessed symptom status, the reported impact of oral conditions and clinical indices, and the extent to which this relationship was moderated by gender and ethnicity. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of data from an oral health survey of minority ethnic groups. PARTICIPANTS: Purposive sample of 376 individuals from minority ethnic groups in the United Kingdom recruited through community groups. MEASURES: Numbers of decayed, missing and filled teeth. Measures of self assessed symptoms, and impact upon quality of life. RESULTS: Impact of oral conditions upon lifestyle was predicted by the number of missing teeth, the presence of pain on eating certain foods and the presence of toothache in the previous four weeks. Social variables (gender and ethnicity) did not predict impact either singly or through interaction with symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support a linear model of the relationship between the experience of oro-facial symptoms and impact on everyday life amongst older adults.