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Clinical Oral Investigations
Published in: Clinical Oral Investigations 4/2017

01-05-2017 | Original Article

The impact of oral rehabilitation on oral health-related quality of life in patients receiving radiotherapy for the treatment of head and neck cancer

Authors: Ramona Schweyen, Thomas Kuhnt, Andreas Wienke, Alexander Eckert, Jeremias Hey

Published in: Clinical Oral Investigations | Issue 4/2017

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Abstract

Objectives

To analyze the influence of dental treatment on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in head and neck cancer patients.

Materials and methods

This study included the data of 116 patients who underwent radiotherapy (RT) because of head and neck cancer. For each patient, the variables age, sex, tumor site, irradiation technique, dose on the spared parotid gland, concomitant chemotherapy, and denture status were documented. OHRQoL was determined using the OHIP-G14 questionnaire. Patients were divided into subgroups according to denture status: none or fixed partial dentures (none/FPD), removable partial dentures (RPD), and full dentures (CD). OHIP summary scores were determined and tested for clinical relevant differences with respect to the different variables. The association between OHRQol and the variables was assessed using linear regression.

Results

No clinically relevant influence on OHRQoL was found for gender, irradiation technique, and chemotherapy. Patients with tumors located in the oral cavity had a significantly higher OHIP score than patients with other tumor sites (p < 0.001). None/FPD and RPD patients had higher values than those found in a normal population, but did not differ significantly from each other (p = 0.387).

Conclusions

In contrast to tumor site, teeth and type of denture seem to have a limited effect on OHRQoL in head and neck cancer patients.

Clinical significance

Prosthetic treatment in head and neck cancer patients do not lead to the same improvement in OHRQoL as found in the normal population. This might be taken into account especially if extensive dental treatment is intended.
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Metadata
Title
The impact of oral rehabilitation on oral health-related quality of life in patients receiving radiotherapy for the treatment of head and neck cancer
Authors
Ramona Schweyen
Thomas Kuhnt
Andreas Wienke
Alexander Eckert
Jeremias Hey
Publication date
01-05-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Clinical Oral Investigations / Issue 4/2017
Print ISSN: 1432-6981
Electronic ISSN: 1436-3771
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-016-1874-4

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