Measuring oral health-related quality of life in orthodontic patients with a short version of the Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP)

Objectives: Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) is currently assessed by long questionnaires, which limits its applicability as an outcome measure in orthodontic practice and research. The aim of the study was to evaluate a shortened measure with a low response burden for assessing OHRQOL in children. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 243 prospective orthodontically treated children (12 percent cleft lip, 68 percent with definite objective treatment need, 20 percent borderline objective treatment need) collected data on OHRQOL using the 38-item version of the Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP-38) and general health perception (GHP), and subjectively and objectively measured orthodontic treatment need. Eleven items of the COHIP-38 were selected for the short version of the questionnaire (COHIP-ortho). Score distributions, internal consistency, construct and criterion validity, as well as subgroup analysis were used to evaluate the psychometric properties of both questionnaires. The performances of COHIP-ortho and COHIP-38 were compared. Results: The internal consistency was somewhat lower for the COHIP-ortho compared with the COHIP-38, but on an acceptable level for both questionnaires. The correlations between COHIP-ortho scores and COHIP-38 overall as well as subscale scores were excellent. COHIP-ortho performed adequately regarding construct and criterion validity related to most sample characteristics compared with the performance of the COHIP-38. Conclusion: The COHIP-ortho is as valid as the COHIP-38 for assessing OHRQOL in children. With a low response burden for patients or study participants, reduced cost, and less time needed for administration, the COHIP-ortho simplifies the investigation of OHRQOL in orthodontics.

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