Fatores psicossociais podem modificar o efeito causado pela periodontite apical na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal de adultos?

Abstract

Psychosocial aspects, such as stress, and biological parameters, such as apical periodontitis, have a negative impact on the oral health-related quality of life (QHRSB) of adults. However, whether such a psychosocial factor is capable of modifying the association between biological parameters and QHRSB is still an unanswered question. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to assess whether individuals with higher rates of stress have a greater impact caused by apical periodontitis on QHRSB. The sample consisted of adults living in the rural area of Rosário do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Data related to oral health (clinical and radiographic) were collected, in addition to anthropometric measurements, socio-demographic, medical, behavioral and QHRSB questionnaires. The presence of apical periodontitis was measured using the PAI index, the stress level using the PSS-10 questionnaire and the QHRSB outcome using the reduced version of the validated questionnaire OHIP-14. 558 individuals were included in the analyses. Effect modification analyzes were performed with estimation of Excess Risk Due to Interaction using multilevel Poisson Regression models. An additive effect caused by high levels of stress on the impact of apical periodontitis on QVRSB was detected. Therefore, individuals with higher rates of stress and who have apical periodontitis have a worse oral health-related quality of life than those not exposed to any or only one of the predictive factors.