Parent-assessed quality of life among adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment: a 12-month follow-up

Lucas Guimarães ABREU, Camilo Aquino MELGAÇO, Mauro Henrique Nogueira Guimaraes ABREU, Elizabeth Maria Bastos LAGES, Saul Martins PAIVA

Objective: To assess parents’ and caregivers’ view of the first twelve months of adolescents’ orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances and to assess the evaluative properties of the Brazilian version of the Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ) in the orthodontic setting. Methods: Data from a sample of 96 parents and caregivers of adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances were collected by means of P-CPQ. Assessments were performed before banding and bracket bonding (T1) and 12 months after placement of fixed appliances (T2). Statistical analysis included Wilcoxon signed-rank test for the overall P-CPQ score and Bonferroni correction for P-CPQ subscales. The evaluative properties of the P-CPQ were assessed through responsiveness calculation and the minimally clinical important difference (MCID). Results: Among the 96 participants, 76 were mothers of patients, 16 were fathers, and four were other family members. Adolescents’ mean age was 11.49 ± 0.50 years. Most families earned equal to or less than three times the Brazilian monthly minimum wage. There was significant improvement in the emotional and social well-being subscales (p < 0.001), which contributed to improve patient’s overall quality of life (p < 0.001). Reductions in scores were associated with clinically meaningful moderate changes in the overall score as well as in the emotional and social well-being subscales. The MCID was 6.16 for the P-CPQ overall score. Conclusion: Parents and caregivers reported significant improvement in the quality of life of adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances.

Keywords: Parents. Caregivers. Adolescent. Quality of life. Orthodontic appliances.

How to cite: Abreu LG, Melgaço CA, Abreu MHNG, Lages EMB, Paiva SM. Parent-assessed quality of life among adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment: a 12-month follow-up. Dental Press J Orthod. 2015 Sept- Oct;20(5):94-100. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2177-6709.20.5.094-100.oar

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