Enfermedades no trasmisibles e impacto de la salud oral en la calidad de vida en la población rural

Introduction: The bidirectional association between oral diseases with non-communicable diseases may increase the impact of oral health on quality of life. Objective: To test the association between non-communicable diseases and the impact of oral health on quality of life in a rural population. Methods: A cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted from April to August 2024 on 386 adults in a rural area of Peru. Non-communicable diseases were considered as an independent variable and the impact of oral health on quality of life as a dependent variable. A descriptive analysis was implemented and prevalence ratios were calculated using generalized linear models to evaluate the association between the variables. Results: Non-communicable diseases were significantly associated with a high impact of oral health on quality of life (PR = 1.49: 95 % CI: 1.22-1.82). Worker occupation and age group 30-59 and ≥ 60 years were associated with higher prevalence of non-communicable diseases; while primary education degree, teaching occupation, separated/divorced marital status and age group 30-59 and ≥ 60 years determined higher impact of oral health on quality of life. Conclusions: Non-communicable diseases intensify the negative impacts of oral health on quality of life. Some general variables increase the proportions of non-communicable diseases and the impact of oral health on quality of life.