Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Diabetic Patients with Removable Dentures: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Abstract Objective: This systematic review aimed to assess the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of removable denture wearers with diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, searches were conducted in Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and EBSCO databases, supplemented by manual searches. The inclusion criteria were studies evaluating the OHRQoL in patients with DM using removable dentures. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Data on functional limitations, physical pain, psychological discomfort, physical disability, social disability, psychological disability, and handicap outcomes were extracted based on two types of comparisons: within-group (pre- and post-denture placement) and between-group (DM vs. non-DM). Results: Five studies (660 participants, 61.51% with DM) were included in the analysis. Three studies assessed the OHRQoL using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), one used the OHIP-20, and one used the OHQoL-UK (one study). Within-group comparisons (pre- and post-denture placement) showed that most studies (60%) consistently reported improvements in OHRQoL in the functional limitation and physical pain domains. Between-group comparisons (DM vs. non-DM) showed inconsistent findings, with two studies reporting lower OHRQoL in patients with DM and two studies finding no significant differences. Conclusion: Removable dentures may help patients with diabetes with functional limitations and physical pain, thereby improving their OHRQoL. Future research should standardize assessments, extend follow-up periods, and control for confounding factors. PROSPERO registration number CRD42024607416.

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