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Supportive Care in Cancer

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Open Access 01-03-2012 | Original Article

Symptoms of the oral cavity and their association with local microbiological and clinical findings—a prospective survey in palliative care

Authors: Bernd Alt-Epping, Ramtin Kordestani Nejad, Klaus Jung, Uwe Groß, Friedemann Nauck

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 3/2012

Abstract

Purpose

Symptoms of the oral cavity clearly encompass more than radiation or chemotherapy-induced mucositis. Still, the burden of oral symptoms in palliative care has hardly been addressed directly, and considerations towards underlying disease processes have often been extrapolated from oncology patients.

Methods

We therefore conducted a prospective explorative survey with pilot character on patients on a specialized palliative care unit, describing symptom pattern (self assessment), clinical signs, bacteriological, mycological and virological findings, and correlating features of clinical history.

Results

Taste disturbances, dry mouth and the presence of Candida were found to be the most prevalent and correlating items. The broad spectrum of further symptoms, signs and findings did not show relevant correlations and did not permit any unilateral causal attributions.

Conclusions

Apart from the described focus on Candida colonisation/infections, a symptom-guided polypragmatic approach therefore seems to be justifiable for patients with oral symptoms in palliative care.

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Title: Symptoms of the oral cavity and their association with local microbiological and clinical findings—a prospective survey in palliative care
Authors: Bernd Alt-Epping
Ramtin Kordestani Nejad
Klaus Jung
Uwe Groß
Friedemann Nauck
Publication date: 01-03-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 3/2012
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-011-1114-z

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