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Oral health in cancer palliative care: cross-sectional study
  1. Adarsh Kudva1,
  2. Arunangshu Ghoshal2,
  3. Prachi Mishra3,
  4. Anupama R John3,
  5. Tarangini Saran3,
  6. Sreea Roy1 and
  7. Naveen Salins4
  1. 1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Manipal College Of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
  2. 2Division of Palliative Care, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  3. 3Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
  4. 4Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
  1. Correspondence to Dr Arunangshu Ghoshal, Division of Palliative Care, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; arunghoshal{at}outlook.com

Abstract

Objectives Patients on anticancer therapy attending palliative care services often have oral health problems, but not enough is known in this regard (in India). This cross-sectional study aimed to elucidate this issue.

Methods Participants were 98 patients with metastatic cancer (52 males, 46 females) who attended the palliative care clinic and were assessed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of dental health professionals working alongside the palliative care team, between August 2021 and October 2022. Their demographic and medical details were collected from the charts. Details about oral health were assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events for dysphagia and xerostomia, Dental Caries Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, and the WHO Mucositis scale. Quality of life was assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Module for Oral Health (EORTC QLQ-OH15).

Results Patients had an average age of 58 years, with 46.9% having an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score of 1, and 61 (64.9%) receiving anticancer treatment along with palliative care. Dental issues were prevalent, with 39.5% classified as DMFT score grade 2. Subgroup analysis showed higher mean DMFT scores in head/neck cancers, particularly in those receiving radiation therapy (2.3) versus without (1.7), and older age (p<0.05).

Conclusion Patients with cancer on anticancer treatment attending a palliative care clinic, especially those with head/neck cancers and older age, had poor oral health. Further prospective research with a dentist on the team is warranted to assess its impact.

  • Cancer
  • Dysphagia
  • Hospital care
  • Quality of life
  • Supportive care

Data availability statement

Data is available with Dr. Adarsh Kudva on reasonable request, email: adarsh.kudva@manipal.edu.

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Data availability statement

Data is available with Dr. Adarsh Kudva on reasonable request, email: adarsh.kudva@manipal.edu.

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Footnotes

  • Twitter @AGhoshal4

  • Contributors Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis or interpretation of data for the work: PM, ARJ, TS, NS, AG, AK, SR. Drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content: PM, NS, AG, AK. Final approval of the version to be published: NS, AG, AK. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved (guarantor): NS, AK.

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.