Assessment of oral health-related quality of life and its association with periodontal status in geriatric patients

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) assessment is significant in geriatric periodontitis patients, as aging-related functional limitations, systemic comorbidities, and periodontal deterioration can collectively impair daily oral function and overall well-being. This study aimed to evaluate the OHRQoL of geriatric patients diagnosed with periodontitis using the Turkish version of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI-TR). A total of 150 individuals aged 65 years and older diagnosed with periodontitis were included in this cross-sectional study conducted at the University of Health Sciences, Gülhane Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Periodontology. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and the GOHAI-TR, a 12-item self-reported measure assessing physical, psychosocial, and pain-related dimensions of oral health. Clinical periodontal parameters, including Plaque Index, Gingival Index, Probing Depth, and Clinical Attachment Loss, were recorded. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, chi-square tests, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. The mean GOHAI total score was 44.51, indicating poor-to-moderate perceived oral health. Most participants (82.7%) were classified in the “poor” GOHAI category. A statistically significant, though weak, negative correlation was found between GOHAI scores and Clinical Attachment Loss (p < 0.05). However, no significant associations were observed between GOHAI categories and other clinical periodontal indices. Sociodemographic and behavioral factors, including age, gender, oral hygiene habits, and number of teeth, did not significantly affect GOHAI scores. Interestingly, participants with postgraduate education reported lower GOHAI scores than those in other educational groups (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis confirmed that Clinical Attachment Loss was the only significant predictor of GOHAI scores. The findings suggest that oral health-related quality of life among elderly individuals with periodontitis is generally poor and poorly aligned with clinical periodontal indicators. The subjective perception of oral health appears to be influenced by complex, multifactorial factors beyond clinical disease severity. GOHAI-TR is a reliable tool for assessing OHRQoL in geriatric populations; however, further research with more representative samples is needed to understand better these dynamics and the psychosocial dimensions that influence these perceptions.