EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF PERIODONTAL DISEASES ON ORAL HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE BY USING ORAL HEALTH IMPACT PROFILE (OHIP)

Background: Periodontal diseases are chronic inflammatory conditions that remain highly prevalent worldwide and represent a significant public health challenge. Their effects extend beyond tooth loss, influencing physical, psychological, and social well-being. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) has emerged as an important construct for evaluating the broader impact of oral diseases, particularly through validated tools such as the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Despite the burden of periodontal disease, limited regional evidence exists regarding its effect on OHRQoL in South Asian populations. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of periodontal diseases on OHRQoL among patients attending two major hospitals in Peshawar, Pakistan, using the OHIP-14 questionnaire. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from August to December 2024 at Hayatabad Medical Complex and Sardar Begum Dental Hospital, Peshawar. A total of 384 patients were recruited through convenience sampling, comprising 221 males (57.7%) and 162 females (42.3%), with ages ranging from 15 to 60 years. Data were collected using the OHIP-14 questionnaire, covering seven domains: functional limitation, physical pain, psychological distress, physical disability, psychological disability, social disability, and handicap. Clinical periodontal examination was performed, including assessment of pocket depth, attachment loss, and bleeding on probing. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, applying descriptive statistics to summarize results. Results: Findings revealed that 70% of participants reported physical pain, 70% reported psychological distress, and 97% reported physical disability. Social disability and handicap were also observed, with participants reporting limitations in daily activities, embarrassment due to oral appearance, and compromised social interaction. The high prevalence of impairments across OHIP-14 domains demonstrated the extensive impact of periodontal diseases on quality of life. Conclusion: This study confirms that periodontal diseases exert a multidimensional burden on patients, extending beyond oral symptoms to affect psychological, functional, and social aspects of life. The findings emphasize the importance of prevention, early detection, and comprehensive management strategies to mitigate their adverse impact on overall well-being