Factors associated with quality of life before and after orthognathic surgery

Purpose: Evaluate which factors compromise patients' quality of life who have undergone orthognathic surgery in the pre and postoperative period of 2 years.

Study design: In this longitudinal prospective study, 46 adult patients undergoing orthognathic surgery were evaluated. The primary outcome variable was quality of life, assessed using the overall score of the orthognathic quality of life questionnaire (OQLQ) in the pre and 2-year postoperative periods. The predictor variables were axis I (temporomandibular dysfunction) and axis II (psychosocial) RDC/TMD diagnoses, assessed preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively; profile, asymmetry, and open bite preoperatively; and orthodontic treatment active 2 years postoperatively. The covariables were age and sex. The OQLQ score was compared preoperatively and postoperatively using the Wilcoxon test and with the other variables using the Mann-Whitney and Kruskall-Wallis tests.

Results: Preoperatively, higher OQLQ scores were associated with myofascial pain (P = .012) and severe depression (P = .030). Two years after surgery, there was an improvement in overall OQLQ (P < .001), myofascial pain (P = .012) and chronic pain (P = .001). However, higher OQLQ scores were associated with individuals who had myofascial pain (P = .012), active orthodontic treatment (P = .007), and other nonspecific physical symptoms including pain (NSPSIP) (P = .049).

Conclusion: Quality of life was affected preoperatively by myofascial pain and depression, and although it improved significantly 2 years after surgery, it continued to be affected by myofascial pain, NSPSIP, and active orthodontic treatment.