Frontiers in Oral Health · Published 2026-07-09 · DOI 10.3389/froh.2026.1882110
Abdolrahim Asadollahi, Ogholgol Ghajari, Heba Khalil, Shahram Moradi
BackgroundAndropause significantly is associated with men's well-being, yet its link with oral health (OHC) and quality of life (QoL) needs deeper investigation regarding mediating and moderating factors.PurposeThis study aimed to analyze the structural relationships between Andropause symptoms, OHC, and QoL among Iranian men, specifically examining OHC as a cross-sectional indirect pathway, education as a moderator, and identifying distinct OHC profiles.MethodsA cross-sectional study surveyed 545 men (mean age 58.8 ± 10.6 years) aged 40+ in Shiraz and Tehran. Andropause symptoms (MASSQ-25) and QoL (SF-12) were assessed, alongside six oral health indicators evaluated clinically by a trained dentist and cross-verified with dental records. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), Path Analysis with moderation, Two-Step Cluster Analysis, and Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM).ResultsSEM revealed a statistically significant indirect association between Andropause symptoms and QoL through OHC in this cross-sectional sample (Sobel Z = 3.12, p = 0.002). However, causal interpretation is not warranted due to the cross-sectional design. Education buffered the negative effect of Andropause symptoms on QoL (β = 0.18, p = 0.008). Cluster Analysis identified three profiles: “Good Oral Health,” “Functional Impairment,” and “Mucosal & Xerostomia.” The latter cluster reported the lowest QoL (Mean = 24.1 ± 5.8). HLM attributed 28% of QoL variance to contextual socioeconomic status.ConclusionsOral health is a critical cross-sectional indirect pathway in the Andropause symptoms-QoL pathway. Identifying high-risk profiles, especially those with Xerostomia/mucosal lesions, necessitates targeted dental interventions. The protective role of education suggests socio-economic empowerment is key to mitigating adverse Andropause effects on QoL.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
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Asadollahi, A., Ghajari, O., Khalil, H., et al. (2026). Oral health profiles and quality of life in men with andropause symptoms: a structural equation modeling and cluster analysis approach. Frontiers in Oral Health. https://doi.org/10.3389/froh.2026.1882110