Summary: | Background: Obstructive sleep apnea and oral health are highly correlated with quality of life. The purpose of this study is to determine the mediating effect of self-cognitive oral health status on the effect of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk factors on quality of life in middle-aged Korean women using the 2019 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Methods: A hierarchical regression analysis was performed on the mediating effect of self-cognitive oral health status on the effects of OSA risk factors on health-related quality of life (Korean health-related quality of life instrument with 8 items; HINT-8). Results: Self-cognitive oral health status as a parameter had a significant effect on quality of life (β = 0.713, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Compared to the effect of the OSA risk factor of the second stage on the quality of life (β = −1.329, <i>p</i> < 0.001), the input of the third stage of self-cognitive oral health was partially mediated (β = −1.280, <i>p</i> <0.001). Conclusions: Therefore, if middle-aged women have OSA risk factors, they should try to improve their quality of life by managing oral health as well as OSA treatment.
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