Effects of subjective oral and mental health on health-related quality of life (EQ-5D) in cancer survivors: The 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (8th KNHANES, 2019-2020)

Objectives: This study aimed to prepare basic data to improve the health-related quality of life of cancer survivors by confirming their oral and mental health statuses and identifying factors affecting their health-related quality of life. Methods: Of all participants in the 8th KNHANES (2019–2020), adults aged 19 years or older who responded ‘yes’ to the diagnosis of cancer and 404 cancer survivors who responded ‘none’ to the current cancer prevalence item were selected as the final research participants. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to confirm the effect of cancer survivors’ oral and mental health on health-related quality of life. Results: Subjective oral health (p<0.01), chewing problems (p<0.05), subjective health (p<0.001), and depression (p<0.01) had an effect on health-related quality of life from multiple regression analyses. Conclusions: Therefore, oral and mental health promotion may improve health-related quality of life. Thus, it is necessary to recognize the importance of oral and mental health and implement preventive education and programs.