Oral health-related quality of life and orthodontic treatment need in thalassemia major patients

BACKGROUND: Thalassemia major (TM) is a severe life-threatening hemoglobinopathy. It causes a typical chipmunk face due to increased hematopoiesis. Severe malocclusion often accompanies facial deformity, which may affect Oral Health-related Quality of Life (OHRQoL). The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between orthodontic treatment needs and OHRQoL in TM patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and five adult patients with TM participated in this cross-sectional study. Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire was used to measure OHRQoL and the patient's need for orthodontic treatment was evaluated using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). The comparison of OHIP-14 scores between groups regarding orthodontic treatment need was carried out using t-test (SPSS software); P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 24.92 (±9.33) years, with 52% female versus 48% male. Orthodontic treatment need was 27.6%. The mean score of OHIP-14 was 12.95 (±7.02). A statistically significant relationship was found between OHIP-14 score and age, gender, and orthodontic treatment need (P < 0.05). All domains of OHIP-14 were significantly related to orthodontic treatment need (P < 0.05), except for “physical disability” (P = 0.282). CONCLUSION: OHRQoL was lower in TM patients with orthodontic treatment needs. Planning to treat malocclusion seems necessary to improve the quality of life in these patients.