Work

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life After Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant—A Cross-Sectional Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background/Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess oral health-related quality of life in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic haematopoietic bone marrow transplantation. Methods: A clinical examination was carried out on 23 patients, aged 42.28 ± 16.66 years, who were diagnosed with chronic graft-versus-host disease, in order to assess the number and progression of dental caries lesions and the presence of dental plaque. Caries risk was assessed using the Cariogram based on data from the clinical examination, general health, and diet questionnaires. Patients completed the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire. The scores from each area were summed to determine the Oral Health Impact Profile summary score. Samples of saliva were collected from the same patients, and salivary tests (unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow, pH value of unstimulated and stimulated saliva, buffering capacity of stimulated saliva, colony density of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus mutans bacteria) were performed. Results: Greater psychological discomfort correlated with a lower unstimulated salivary flow rate (R = -0.511, p = 0.0212), a lower pH of stimulated saliva (R = -0.495, p = 0.0266), more tooth sites with cavitated dentin lesions (R = 0.609, p = 0.0034) and fewer teeth (R = -0.599, p = 0.0041). A higher Oral Health Impact Profile summary score correlated with a lower pH of the stimulated saliva (R = -0.486, p = 0.0297), fewer teeth (R = -0.726, p = 0.00019), more tooth sites with cavitated dentin lesions (R = 0.588, p = 0.00509) and a higher caries risk (R = 0.542, p = 0.0112). A poorer assessment of oral health correlated with a higher caries risk (R = 0.512, p = 0.0177). Conclusions: In summary, the study showed that patients have lower oral health-related quality of life as a consequence of diminished salivary flow rate therefore elevated caries risk factors and negative effect on oral health.

Source: Healthcare

DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13050561

Authors: Nina Vovk, Manca Urek, Ksenija Cankar, Lidija Nemeth

Institutions: University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana University Medical Centre

Language: English

Topic: Oral health in cancer treatment

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258