Background and Objective: Osteoporosis is one of the most common chronic bone disorder in elderly people, characterized by reduction of bone mineral density. Osteoporosis can affect oral health.This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the oral health-related quality of life in the elderly with osteoporosis in Amir Kola city.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study which is part of the second phase of the Amirkola Health and Ageing Project (AHAP), 400 elderly people were assessed in three groups (100 with normal bone density, 214 with osteoporosis, and 86 with osteopenia). Standard xerostomia questionnaire and GOHAI questionnaire (Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index) was completed for all participants. A thorough intra-oral examination was used to count each participant’s remaining teeth. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured through dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) densitometry.
Findings: There was no significant difference between the mean GOHAI scores in individuals with normal density (52.49±7.36), osteopenia (50.82±7.93), and osteoporosis (50.92±7.22). The average number of remaining teeth varied statistically significantly across the three groups of women (p<0.05).
Conclusion: This study's findings indicated that the Osteopenia and osteoporosis do not affect oral health-related quality of life.