Page 65 - FINAL COMPENDIUM 2020-2021 27.2.2022

QUALITY OF LIFE ASSESSMENTS IN MAXILLOFACIAL TRAUMA PATIENTS – A SYSTEMATIC
REVIEW
NMRR-18-1206-39593

Tan PG, Soh CL

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the quality of life of patients
who sustained maxillofacial trauma and to assess the tools used to analyse quality of life
and psychological changes in maxillofacial trauma patients. Materials and methods:
Utilising databases medline via pubmed, embase via ovid, google scholar, scielo and web
of science; studies evaluating quality of life and psychosocial wellbeing in patients
sustaining maxillofacial trauma prior to 2018 were analysed. Besides descriptive variables,
evaluating tool and changes to quality of life scores were necessary for inclusion. Results:
Out of 3439 articles from initial search, 31 were included for analysis. 41 validated
questionnaires were employed for data collection, with 21 specifics to quality of life. Each
study had a sample varying between 40 to 378 patients and between 1 and 7 different
data collection times. Hospital anxiety and depression questionnaire was the most
common tool utilised; with more dental specific questionnaires being more popular in
recent years and suggesting a new direction in oral health related quality of life in these
patients. Discussion: General consensus is that quality of life is negatively impacted
following maxillofacial trauma; with increased rates of anxiety, depression and post-
traumatic stress disorder seen in these patients. The absence of a validated questionnaire
for this type of trauma suggests an area of future questionnaire development. An increase
in popularity in oral health related quality of life tool utilisation suggests an
acknowledgement of oral health importance following maxillofacial trauma. Weaknesses
include a lack of differentiation between psychosocial studies and quality of life; with the
subject intertwined in these studies. There is also a large heterogenicity in studies
included with regards to fracture type, follow up, and treatment.

Published in Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medicine, and Pathology 2020 Vol 32:2; 87-92

Dr Soh Chen Loong
Dr Tan Peh Ge
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan
Kuantan, Pahang

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