Evaluation of arthrocentesis with hyaluronic acid injection plus oral glucosamine hydrochloride for temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis in oral-health-related quality of life

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the changes in oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) who underwent five weekly hyaluronic acid injections together with oral glucosamine hydrochloride for three months. Materials and methods This prospective observational study included 211 consecutive patients who completed the Chinese version of the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-C14) before treatment (T0), and at first month (T1), third month (T2), and sixth month (T3) after the first injection. Results Significant changes in the summary scores on OHIP-C14 were observed during follow-up ( P P P P P  = 0.369). Compared with the norms, the scores were significantly higher at T0 ( P P  = 0.482), and significantly lower at T2 ( P  = 0.013) and T3 ( P  = 0.003). The changes in the scores differed significantly among age groups ( P  = 0.012) but not between sexes ( P  = 0.293). Conclusions TMJ-OA has a negative effect on patient OHRQoL. OHRQoL scores were improved to normal levels in both the short and long terms after therapy. OHRQoL improvement was the greatest in the youngest group, but did not differ between the sexes.