Impact of Orthognathic Surgery on Quality of Life

• Published in: Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery Vol. 66; no. 6; pp. 1194 - 1199
• Main Authors: Lee, Shermin, BDS, MDS, FRACDS, McGrath, Colman, FDSRCS, FFDRCS, PhD, Samman, Nabil, FRCS, FDSRCS
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.06.2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Dentistry; Educational Status; Facial Asymmetry - surgery; Female; Health Status; Humans; Male; Malocclusion - surgery; Medical sciences; Oral Surgical Procedures - psychology; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Postoperative Period; Quality of Life; Sickness Impact Profile; Statistics, Nonparametric; Surgery; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome; Human; Treatment; Stomatology; Orthognathy; Surgery; Quality of life
• ISSN: 0278-2391; 1531-5053
• DOI: 10.1016/j.joms.2008.01.006

Purpose To determine changes in quality of life (QOL) following orthognathic surgery in patients with dentofacial deformity, using generic health, generic oral health, and condition-specific QOL approaches. Materials and Methods Thirty-six patients were evaluated at baseline presurgical (T0 ), 6 weeks postoperatively (T1 ), and 6 months postoperatively (T2 ). Generic health-related QOL was assessed using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), generic oral health-related QOL was assessed by the 14-item Short Form Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), and condition-specific QOL was assessed by the 22-item Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ). Results There was a significant reduction (deterioration) in SF-36 summary physical ( P < .01) and mental health scores ( P < .001) at 6 weeks after surgery but no significant change in overall OHIP-14 or OQLQ scores. At 6 months after surgery, SF-36 summary scores returned to baseline levels and significant reduction (improvements) in OHIP-14 ( P < .001) and OQLQ mean scores ( P < .001) were observed. Conclusions Significant changes in QOL occurred following orthognathic surgery. A marked but transient deterioration in many aspects related to general well being was noted in the early postoperative period and significant improvement was documented by 6 months. A comprehensive assessment of QOL using generic health, generic oral health, and condition-specific approaches proved useful in determining such changes.