Oral Health Status and Function of Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy and/or Radiotherapy: Findings From Two Tertiary Hospitals in Malaysia
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Abstract
Introduction: Cancer treatments are commonly associated with painful oral complications that may influence patients’ prognosis. This study aimed to determine the oral health status and function of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (CTx) and/or head and neck radiotherapy (H&N RT) and factors associated with presence of oral mucositis (OM). Materials and method: This cross-sectional study included hospitalized cancer patient undergoing CTx and/or H&N RT at two tertiary hospitals in Malaysia, excluding those in isolation. Structured proforma and the Oral Assessment Guide (OAG) were used to determine patients’ oral health status and function. Factors associated with OM were determined using logistic regression analysis. Results: Out of 177 patients, 25.4% reported experiencing oral complications, with xerostomia being the most common (66.7%), followed by mouth ulcers (35.6%), dysgeusia (15.6%), and lip numbness (15.6%). The most affected component of the OAG was the teeth or dentures, with 71.8% of patients showing issues with localized (39.0%) and generalized (32.8%) plaque accumulation. Based on the OAG score, about half of patients (58.8%) had OM. Pediatric cancer patients were 5.60 times more likely to have OM than adult patients (p <0.001). Conclusion: OM affected approximately half of the cancer patients undergoing CTx and/or H&N RT, with pediatric patients being significantly more susceptible. Additionally, around 25% of patients reported experiencing at least one oral complication during the course of their treatment, with xerostomia being the most common. These findings highlight the importance of implementing oral care regimens throughout cancer therapy to help prevent or reduce the frequency and severity of oral complications.
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