Background and Objective: Osteoporosis represents one of the most frequently encountered chronic bone diseases during the aging process, and it is associated with decreased bone mineral density. Due to the recognized impact of osteoporosis on oral health, the present study was conducted with the aim of evaluating oral health-related quality of life among older adults diagnosed with osteoporosis residing in Amirkola, Babol, northern Iran.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted as part of the second phase of the Amirkola Health and Aging Cohort Study. A total of 400 older adults were assessed and categorized into three groups: normal bone mineral density (n=100), osteoporosis (n=214), and osteopenia (n=86). All participants completed the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) questionnaire and xerostomia questionnaire. The number of remaining teeth was determined via intraoral examination. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured and compared using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
Findings: No significant difference was observed in the mean oral health-related quality of life scores between individuals with normal bone mineral density (52.49±7.36), those with osteopenia (50.92 ±7.22), and those with osteoporosis (50.82±7.93). In contrast, the number of remaining teeth demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the three groups when analyzed within the female subpopulation (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The results of the present study revealed that neither osteopenia nor osteoporosis has a significant effect on oral health-related quality of life.