Oral mucositis (OM) affects patients who are submitted to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) due to high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The purpose of this investigation was to perform a comparative study of the frequency and evolution of OM among patients subjected to therapeutic laser and to the conventional therapy (use of mouthwash called "Mucositis Formula"). The patients were subjected to a myeloablative conditioning regimen before the allogeneic HSCT. Twenty-two patients were selected and divided into 2 groups: group I was irradiated with InGaAlP laser (660 nm) and GaAlAs laser (780 nm), 25 mW potency, 6.3J/ cm 2 dose, in 10-s irradiation time, followed to conventional treatment; group II was subjected only to the conventional treatment. Both World Health Organization (WHO) scale and the Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale (OMAS) were used to evaluate the results. Data were analyzed by the non-parametric Wilcoxon test, with p<0.05 considered as statistically significant. Group I presented a lower frequency of OM (p=0.02) and lower mean scores, according to WHO and OMAS scales (p<0.01 and p=0.01, respectively). In conclusion, laser reduced the frequency and severity of OM, suggesting that therapeutic laser can be used both as a new form of prevention and treatment of OM.

RESUMONeste estudo buscou-se verifi car associação entre avaliação clínica da cavidade oral (pelos Índices de dentes Cariados, Perdidos e Obturados e Índice de Higiene Oral -Simplifi cado) e a determinação indireta de óxido nítrico em pacientes com patologias onco-hematológicas. Trata-se de estudo observacional, no qual foram incluídos vinte sujeitos internados, diagnos cados com Leucemia (35%), Linfoma (50%), Mieloma (15%), em avaliação para início de quimioterapia, sendo que 50% apresentaram normalidade da condição bucal (sem lesões ou traumas); a maioria apresentou higiene sa sfatória (35%) ou regular (35%), porém, 30% veram higiene defi ciente ou péssima. A expressão indireta do óxido nítrico variou de 13,34 a 257. O óxido nítrico não apresentou associação com os outros parâmetros; houve grande variabilidade de seus valores. Novos estudos são necessários, em especial pela potencialidade deste indicador na detecção precoce de alterações bucais. DESCRITORES Óxido nítrico Higiene bucal Quimioterapia Cuidados de enfermagem ABSTRACTThis observa onal study aimed to verify the associa on between the clinical state of the oral cavity (based on the Index of Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth and the Simplifi ed Oral Hygiene Index) and the indirectly determined nitric oxide level in pa ents with oncologic and hematologic diseases. This study included 20 hospitalized pa ents who were in the evalua on phase prior to star ng chemotherapy and who had been diagnosed with leukemia (35%), lymphoma (50%) or myeloma (15%). Fi y percent of these pa ents had normal oral health (no injury or trauma), and most had sa sfactory (35%) or typical (35%) hygiene, but 30% had poor or very poor hygiene. The indirectly measured levels of nitric oxide ranged from 13.34 to 257. The nitric oxide level was not associated with other parameters, and there was great variability in its level. Further studies are necessary given the poten al of using this indicator in the early detecon of oral diseases. DESCRIPTORS