Factors influencing the incidence and severity of oral mucositis in patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation

Abstract

This retrospective descriptive study documented the frequency of oral mucositis and examined the impact of certain variables in the development of oral mucositis in autologous stem cell transplants. Oral mucositis occurred in 90% of the patients, but 53.57% developed ulcerations. On average, oral mucositis started on day seven, lasted for six days and resolved on day 13 after the initiation of chemotherapy. Sodium bicarbonate mouthwash and mucositis mouthwash were commonly used interventions; 72.92% of the interventions were used as secondary prevention. Oral mucositis was significantly associated with diagnosis (lymphoma), chemotherapy (etoposide and melphalan), and level of prevention (secondary). Diagnosis (lymphoma), chemotherapy (etoposide and melphalan), serum creatinine (peak level), and level of prevention (secondary) were independent predictors of oral mucositis.