A study on oral health-related quality of life following radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer.
10.11149/jkaoh.2017.41.2.110
- Author:
Hae Ok SOHN
1
;
Eun Young PARK
;
Yun Sook JUNG
;
Eun Kyung LEE
;
Hee Kyung LEE
;
Eun Kyong KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Head & Neck Cancer;
Oral Health Related Quality of Life;
Radiotherapy
- MeSH:
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell;
Dentists;
Diagnosis, Oral;
Head and Neck Neoplasms*;
Head*;
Humans;
Male;
Oral Health;
Periodontal Index;
Quality of Life*;
Radiotherapy*;
Tooth
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
2017;41(2):110-115
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the change in oral health-related quality of life among patients with head & neck cancer who received radiotherapy. METHODS: A total of 40 patients who were diagnosed as having head and neck cancer and scheduled to have radiotherapy were enrolled in this study; however, only 25 patients were included in the final analysis. Prior to radiotherapy, a dentist performed an oral examination to check for the presence of decayed and missing teeth, plaque, and determine the gingival index. Oral health-related quality of life was assessed using the OHIP-14 questionnaire. Eight weeks after starting radiotherapy, oral health-related quality of life was re-evaluated using the same questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 60.20 (±7.29) years, and 22 (88.8%) of them were men. The majority of the participants were diagnosed as having squamous cell carcinoma (68.0%). The total OHIP-14 score was significantly decreased from 56.20 (±13.50) at baseline to 45.72 (±10.98) eight weeks after radiotherapy. In addition, according to subjective oral health at baseline, the observed change in the OHIP-14 score was significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Oral health-related quality of life was significantly lowered after radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer.
