PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Walding, Jessica Z
AU  - Matt, Rosie
AU  - Seaman, Siwan
TI  - 201 Xerostomia and xylimelts use in hospice inpatients: using the integrated palliative care outcome scale (IPOS) to evaluate
AID  - 10.1136/spcare-2020-PCC.221
DP  - 2020 Mar 01
TA  - BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
PG  - A79--A80
VI  - 10
IP  - Suppl 1
4099  - http://spcare.bmj.com/content/10/Suppl_1/A79.3.short
4100  - http://spcare.bmj.com/content/10/Suppl_1/A79.3.full
SO  - BMJ Support Palliat Care2020 Mar 01; 10
AB  - Background Xerostomia is the subjective experience of oral dryness and is reported in up to 88% of advanced cancer patients. Despite use of mouthwashes, artificial saliva and hydration, studies reveal that xerostomia persist or deteriorate admission. Thus, newer saliva stimulating agents have become increasingly popular. XyliMelts are an example of this newer alternative.Aims To ascertain whether using Xylimelts amongst hospice in-patients reduces the degree patients are affected by sore/dry mouthMethods Data was collected prospective at the Marie Curie Hospice, Cardiff and Vale over a 4-month period. Patients with refractory dry mouth were identified. This was defined as failure to respond to daily use of Glandosane spray and Biotene Oral Balance Gel. Once identified, patients were asked to grade the degree they had been affected by a sore/dry mouth over the past 3 days, using IPOS scores. This score was repeated after Xylimelt use. A score of 4 reflected they were overwhelming affected by the symptom whereas a score of 1 indicated they were only slightly affected.Results 18 patients received Xylimelts over the 4 months in our 28-bedded hospice. 93% of these patients had a cancer diagnosis. Results suggest that XyliMelt use was effective at alleviating dry mouth with a p-value of 0.007, mean IPOS score of 3.1 (pre-use) and 1.6(post-use). XyliMelt use was well tolerated with no reported adverse reactions amongst our patient group.Conclusion Xylimelts appears to be effective and well tolerated amongst hospice in patients with refractory xerostomia.