The objective of this study was to assess pre-treatment quality of life and the relevant clinical variables in adult patients with malocclusion in order to improve orthodontic treatment strategies.
...The study was conducted in 240 consecutive adult patients with malocclusions divided into two groups: patients for whom an orthodontic treatment plan was considered, and patients for whom an orthognathic treatment plan was selected. Patients were examined between December 2015 and February 2017, at the School of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade. Malocclusion severity was recorded using the Peer Assessment Rating index pre-treatment score. Skeletal malocclusion parameters were measured using lateral cephalometric radiographs. Quality of life was assessed by means of a generic questionnaire (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36)), and the disease-specific Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ).
There were significant differences in the mean values of the OQLQ domain scores between orthodontic and orthognathic patients. Patients for whom orthodontic treatment was planned had statistically significantly lower scores in comparison to those for whom orthognathic treatment was planned. This was the case in all OQLQ domains except for "Awareness of facial deformity". Statistically significant correlations (p<0.05) were presented between OQLQ scores and following demographic and clinical variables: gender, age, malocclusion severity, maxillary and mandibular sagittal, maxillary vertical, and lower incisor positions, intermaxillary angle, and the Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory levels. The independent predictors for the planning of orthodontic and orthognathic treatment in patients with malocclusion were two OQLQ domains, "Facial aesthetics" and "Awareness of facial deformity", as well as total OQLQ score, after adjustment for demographic characteristics, skeletal parameters, anxiety and depression.
Our findings suggest that patients for whom orthodontic treatment was planned demonstrated better quality of life according to the OQLQ scores in comparison to those for whom orthognathic therapy was planned.
Every three seconds, a new case of dementia emerges in the world, and by 2050 there will be at least 150 million persons with dementia. The World Health Organization declared dementia for a public ...health priority of the 21st century before the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2/COVID 19, which affected the elderly population the most. Dementia is a disease that affects the individual, caregivers and wider society. Due to increasing dependence from others, dementia causes a health, economic, emotional, psychological and physical burden for the person with dementia and his caregivers. There is still a great stigma associated with dementia. Less than half of people with dementia are diagnosed and treated, although we have drugs available that can slow the course of the disease. In the multi-author's monograph Monitoring of Dementia in Slovenia: Epidemiological and other aspects, we addressed the problem of dementia, especially in relation to COVID-19. The publication also highlights the estimates on the prevalence of dementia in Slovenia, which were made on Slovenian data and the population of Slovenia. The publication is distinguished by a multidisciplinary treatment of the topics and is intended for both the lay and the professional public.
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