Does Pemphigus Vulgaris Affect Oral Health Related Quality of Life?

Abstract

Abstract Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a chronic disease affecting oral mucosa. Oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) is defined as a multidimensional construct that reflects comfort of people when eating, sleeping and engaging in social interaction, self-esteem, and satisfaction with respect to their oral health. The aim of this study was to measure OHRQoL and its correlation with disease severity of patients with PV. In this cross-sectional study, OHRQoL was measured by chronic oral mucosal disease questionnaire (COMDQ) in 72 patients (45.91 ± 11.45 years old) with PV include 45 (62.5%) women and 27 (37.5%). Finally, the obtained data were analyzed by statistical software. The mean total score of COMDQ in patients with PV was 72.41 ± 9.23. Moreover, mean daily dose of prednisolone corticosteroid was 0.619±0.395 mg/kg. COMDQ score in women was significantly higher than men (P<0.001). COMDQ total scores significantly correlated with daily dose of corticosteroid (P<0.001). Our study suggested that OHRQoL in patients with PV was not acceptable, and it was worse in the female gender that have more severe disease. Therefore, medical management of the underlying disease, as well as social and emotional care facilities seem necessary to improve OHRQoL in PV patients. Keywords: Pemphigus vulgaris, Oral health, Quality of life