ONCOmmunity

Clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with oral health-related quality of life in survivors of head and neck cancer.

By: Eloisa B Soldera, Gabriela B Ortigara, Laura I L Bonzanini, Riéli E Schulz, Cristiane C Danesi, Raquel P Antoniazzi, Kívia Linhares Ferrazzo

Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
2019-04-03; doi: 10.1002/hed.26063

Abstract

Background

Factors related to head and neck cancer and the treatment of the disease can affect quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with the severity of impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in survivors of head and neck cancer using a multivariate analysis.

Methods

This cross-sectional study evaluated 90 volunteers who had completed radiotherapy at least 3 months earlier. OHRQoL was assessed using oral health impact profile (OHIP-14) and the data were analyzed using robust variance poisson regression models.

Results

The mean total OHIP-14 score was 23.98 ± 12.55. Patients with hyposalivation had 56% higher (worse) mean OHIP-14 total scores (CI:1.11-2.18) and patients with advanced stage tumors had 31% higher mean OHIP-14 total scores (CI:1.03-1.66) in multivariate analyses.

Conclusion

OHRQoL of survivors of head and neck cancer experienced a negative impact following radiotherapy. The impact was associated with hyposalivation and advanced stage tumors.