Oral health-related quality of life in young adults born with unilateral cleft lip and palate after interdisciplinary treatment: a cross-sectional study with controls

Abstract

Background Outcome studies conducted on patients treated for cleft lip and palate (CLP) typically focus on clinical measures, while significantly fewer investigate patients' subjective perceptions of the long-term outcomes. Objective To evaluate oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) as reported by young adults born with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). Material The study sample consisted of 32 consecutive patients (mean age 19.1 years) born with UCLP that had undergone interdisciplinary treatment. This group was compared with two noncleft control groups: one orthodontically treated group (Ortho) (n = 32, mean age 18.7 years) and one nonorthodontically treated group (Control) (n = 31, mean age 18.6 years). Method In this cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study, three instruments, the oral health impact profile-14 (OHIP-14), the jaw functional limitation scale-20 (JFLS-20), and the orofacial esthetic scale (OES) were administered during the final routine follow-up visit at 19 years of age. Results No significant differences were found in JFLS-20 and OHIP-14 mean summary scores between the UCLP group and the noncleft groups. For OES, the UCLP group differed significantly from the Ortho group (P = 0.042) but not from the Control group. Conclusion Young adults born with UCLP treated in an interdisciplinary team reported overall OHRQoL comparable to peers without a cleft and no history of orthodontic treatment. Their self-perceived orofacial appearance was similar to that of noncleft, nonorthodontically treated peers, but rated less favorable compared to noncleft peers who had received orthodontic treatment.