Exploratory Reanalysis of the Lithuanian OHIP-14 in Older Adults: Preliminary Evidence for an Oral Discomfort Structure

Background and Objectives: This study is a secondary analysis of a Lithuanian version of the original Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) in a sample of older adults in Lithuania and, through factor analysis, it derives one or two practical and easily interpretable measurement instruments for use in clinical practice and applied research. Materials and Methods: The dimensional structure and reliability of the subscales resulting from this reanalysis, conducted among 54 respondents with a mean age of 68 years (SD = 10.2, range 49–90), were examined. Results: Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with Varimax rotation of the Lithuanian OHIP-14 scale showed a three-factor solution; however, the fixed two-factor solution, consisting of psychological discomfort (6 items) and physical discomfort (5 items), tested with EFA with Varimax rotation was satisfactory, and the one-factor solution, oral discomfort (comprising 11 items), was also acceptable. Age was the only sociodemographic factor significantly associated with oral discomfort. Participants younger than 69 years reported higher levels of overall oral discomfort, psychological discomfort, and physical discomfort compared with those aged 69 years and older (all p ≤ 0.002). No significant associations were observed for denture status, gender, education, income, or marital status. Conclusions: After modification and adaptation to the target group, the Lithuanian OHIP-14 may have potential as a measure of oral discomfort, with preliminary findings suggesting a distinction between psychological and physical dimensions. These findings should be considered exploratory, given the limited sample size, and provide a basis for the further translation and adaptation of the existing Dutch Oral Discomfort Scale, but they require confirmation in larger studies before the proposed structure and broader applicability of the instrument can be established.