Correlation between gerotranscendence and oral health-related quality of life among elderly population in Davanagere city: A cross-sectional survey.

Aim: To assess the relationship between oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) and gerotranscendence among elderly subjects in Davangere city.

Settings and design: Field Setting and cross-sectional survey design.

Materials and methods: Study involved a stratified sample of 400 elderly population aged 60 years and above. Data related to demographic details, systemic and oral health related factors, nutritional status, gerotranscendence level and geriatric oral health related quality of life of study participants was recorded using study proforma, Mini Nutritional Scale Assessment- Short form (MNA-SF) index, Gerotranscendence Scale Type 2 (GST2) questionnaire and GOHAI questionnaire respectively.

Statistical analysis used: Significance level was fixed at P < 0.05. Chi-square, Pearson's/Spearman's correlation and Multiple linear regression tests were used for analysis.

Results: Participants had good oral health related quality of life (mean GOHAI - 41.33±10.8) and moderate level of gerotranscendence (GST2- 19.5 ± 8.7). The gerotranscendence scores were significantly (P<0.05) negatively correlated with socioeconomic status (r = -0.19), education (r = -0.55), self-perceived oral health (r = -0.43), nutritional status (r = -0.64), GOHAI (r = -0.17), utilization of dental services (r = -0.26) and marital status (r = -0.39) and were significantly (P < 0.05) positively correlated with age (r = 0.77), systemic problems (r = 0.49), number of missing teeth (r = 0.57), self-perceived need for treatment (r = 0.24), and pan chewing (r = 0.62). Gerotranscendence was not a significant predictor of GOHAI (P = 0.43).

Conclusion: Gerotranscendence was negatively correlated with oral health related quality of life among elderly population in Davanagere city.