Social Anxiety and Orthognathic Surgery Effect on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life

Cureus. 2023 Sep 18;15(9):e45434. doi: 10.7759/cureus.45434. eCollection 2023 Sep.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of patients' social anxiety on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in the context of orthognathic surgery.

Methods: The study involved a cohort of 70 patients who were tasked with completing a comprehensive questionnaire aimed at assessing various facets of their OHRQoL at distinct stages of treatment: pre-surgery, within one month post surgery, and more than one month post surgery. Statistical analyses were conducted in the form of t-test.

Results: Out of the 70 participants, 27 were male (38.57%) and 43 were female (61.43%). The sample distribution comprised 30 (43%) subjects in the pre-surgical stage, two (3%) at one month post surgery, and 38 (54%) more than one month post surgery. In relation to the t-test results, we found variations in the significance of the results for each question, with multiple results showing patients who reported experiencing discomfort significantly outnumbering those who did not (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Social anxiety and orthognathic surgery both demonstrate significant influences on OHRQoL. Subsequent research should delve into specific areas where patients experience the greatest impact.

Keywords: ohrqol; orthognathic surgery; quality of life; questionnaire; social anxiety.