Perda dentária, saúde bucal e qualidade de vida em pacientes oncológicos no sul de Minas Gerais

Abstract

Cancer patients are at increased risk of oral complications during and after cancer treatment. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess: 1) tooth loss, analyzed according to the number and position of missing teeth, and associated factors; 2) oral health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and oral health conditions in cancer patients. 441 adults attending a voluntary association to support people undergoing cancer treatment were included. In study 1, the outcome was evaluated through clinical assessment of tooth loss, dividing the participants into three groups: (i) functional dentition (FD) [presence of 20 or more teeth] without front loss; (ii) FD with front loss; (iii) without FD. Independent variables included socioeconomic status, health-related habits, general and cancer-related health, oral health, and dental care. Bivariate and multiple multinomial logistic regression models were used in the data analysis, with the reference group being (i). The results showed that 27.29% of the participants have PD without front losses; 6.04% have FD with front losses; and 66.67% do not have SCD. Those who: have an income of less than 1 minimum wage (OR: 0.04; 95%CI: 0.01-0.80) and those who did not show changes in taste after cancer treatment were more likely to have SCD with front loss (OR: 0.31; IC95%: 0.10-0.90). Individuals: older (OR: 1.06; 95%CI: 1.02-1.10), less educated (OR: 0.15; 95%CI: 0.02-0.81) were more likely to have PD), those who use dentures (OR: 63.97; 95%CI: 20.22-202.22), without periodontal pockets (OR: 0.17; 95%CI: 0.07-0.43), and those who brush their teeth less than three times a day (OR: 0.22; 95%CI: 0.09- 0.53). In study 2, the outcome was HRQoL and oral health conditions through the QLQ-OH15 questionnaire. Bivariate and multiple analyzes of the association between oral health conditions and the HRQoL dimension of the QLQ-OH15 were performed using generalized linear models. For the HRQoL scale, the mean score was 82.09. Poor oral health self-assessment (p<0.001), presence of dry mouth (p<0.001), trismus (p=0.002), mouth sores (p<0.001), numb areas were associated with worse HRQoL scores. (p<0.001), decrease in food intake (p<0.001), change in food taste (p<0.001), difficulty in swallowing (p<0.001) and speech difficulties (p<0.001). From the results of this study, it can be seen that tooth loss had a significant prevalence in the study population, and among individuals with a greater number of teeth, the loss of anterior elements was significant. Socioeconomic and oral health conditions were strongly associated with the absence of functional

dentition. In addition, although the HRQoL assessment is at good levels, the related symptoms are of significant importance, especially sticky saliva and those related to dentures. Poor oral health self-assessment, dry mouth, trismus, mouth sores, numb areas, decreased food intake and change in food taste, difficulty swallowing and speaking were associated with worse HRQoL. There is a need for greater monitoring and attention to the oral health of people undergoing cancer treatment, in order to ensure the prevention of diseases, attention to the sequelae and limitations resulting from these, providing greater well-being and quality of life for these patients.