Impact of orthognathic surgery on quality of life: Predisposing clinical and genetic factors

Abstract

Introduction: Dentofacial deformities have an impact on quality of life (QOL). Many factors can influence this perception, including genetic aspects. ANKK1 and DRD2 genes are associated with dopaminergic system and could modulate behavioral dysfunction.

Purpose: The impact of orthognathic surgery and associated factors on QOL of adults was evaluated.

Material and methods: The abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) was applied to patients from two surgery services one week before (T0) and six months after surgery (T1). The independent variables were age, sex, race, facial pattern, presence of jaw asymmetry and vertical deformities, and polymorphisms associated with ANKK1 and DRD2 genes. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed.

Results: There was improvement in the perception of QOL from T0 to T1 in the general score, in the physical and psychological domains, and in the quality of life and general health perception (QOLGHP) (p < 0.001). In this interval, individuals aged ≥30 years reported positive impacts on all outcomes (p < 0.05), whereas in women this improvement did not occur only for the physical domain (p = 0.136). There was an association between the polymorphisms associated with the ANKK1 gene (rs1800497) and the perception of QOL in the social relationship's domain (p = 0.021) and QOLGHP (p = 0.042). The other clinical conditions were not associated with outcomes (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Perception of QOL of patients improved following orthognathic surgery in physical, psychological, and QOLGHP domains. Aged ≥30 years, being women and polymorphisms associated with the ANKK1 gene were related to positive impacts.

Keywords: Genetic predisposition; Orthognathic surgery; Prospective clinical trial; Quality of life; Questionnaire.