Oral health related quality of life in patients with head and neck tumors undergoing chemo and radiotherapy

Abstract

Introduction: Oral health is an important aspect of public health which affects people’s quality of life. Oral health related quality of life is assessed to evaluate the effect of different diseases on individual’s daily life quality. The aim of this study was to examine the oral health related quality of life in patients with head and neck tumors who received radio and chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in 2015 on the fifty patients with head and neck tumors who were referred to Babolsar Shahid Rajae hospital and Sari Emam Khomeyni hospital for radio and chemotherapy, and fifty healthy individuals as control group. In this study our measuring tool was OHIP-14 (Oral Health Impact Profile) questionnaire. Results: Our findings showed a statistically significant difference in oral health related quality of life between healthy and patients groups (P< 0.05). In patients group, among different factors, the disease status (primary or recurrent tumor) could significantly affect the oral health related quality of life. Conclusion: It seems that disease status (primary or recurrent) is an important factor in decreasing oral health related quality of life in patients with head and neck tumors. Key words: oral related life quality, head and neck tumor, chemotherapy, radiotherapy.

Keywords

• oral related life quality
• head and neck tumor
• chemotherapy
• radiotherapy