A method for assessment of quality of life in relation to prosthodontics. Partial edentulism and removable partial dentures

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible use in prosthodontics of a method for an interview technique allowing maximal individuality within the cultural boundaries. The impact of partial edentulism and removable partial denture (RPD) wearing on quality of life was chosen as the target question. The interview included patient generated selection of five quality of life cues. The current status/intensity of each cue was measured by use of a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the relative weight/importance between the cues by a direct-weighting (DW) instrument, and a summarized quality of life score was calculated. One hundred and one participants with partial edentulism with or without RPDs were included in the study. No correlation was found between the VAS- and DW-scores, indicating that different aspects are measured with these two instruments. Sixty to seventy per cent of the participants answered positively to questions about the test method, including self-knowledge, consciousness and identification of needs and wishes. The 'Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life - Direct Weighting' turned out to be a useful instrument for assessing patients' priorities, and fulfils in many ways the demands for individualized problem identification, decision-making and treatment planning. The results of the comparison of RPD wearers and non-RPD wearers showed that aesthetics is a major factor and that the overall quality of life between the experienced RPD wearers and non-RPD wearers in this study did not differ significantly.