Risk factors for oral mucositis in patients with malignant tumors: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of oral mucositis in patients with malignant tumors.Methods: A total of 74 patients with malignant tumors who were hospitalized in the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from January 2020 to December 2020 were selected and divided into two groups according to whether oral mucositis occurred (n=45) or not (n=29). Chi-square test was used to compare the general data between the two groups, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors of oral mucositis in patients with malignant tumors.Results: Oral mucositis occurred in 45 of 74 malignant tumor patients (60.8%), and the incidence in patients with head and neck tumors was significantly higher than in those with chest and abdomen tumors (P<0.05). A significantly higher incidence was also seen in patients with poor oral cleanliness in comparison to those with high oral cleanliness; in radiotherapy patients in comparison to non-radiotherapy patients; in patients who received Nituzumab during radiotherapy in comparison to those who did not, and in patients receiving eight cycles of chemotherapy in comparison to those not receiving chemotherapy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that oral cleanliness, radiotherapy, and duration of radiotherapy were independent risk factors for oral mucositis in patients with malignant tumors (P<0.05).Conclusions: Poor oral cleanliness, radiotherapy, and longer duration of radiotherapy lead to the occurrence of oral mucositis in patients with malignant tumors, and these risk factors should be targeted for intervention to reduce the occurrence of oral mucositis.

Prevalence and risk factors of chemotherapy‐induced oral mucositis among adult cancer patients at the cancer unit of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital

“…Patients with poor oral hygiene were found to have about 3.70 times higher odds of developing chemotherapy‐induced oral mucositis when compared to those whose oral hygiene was good. This is in line with other studies among cancer patients, 30,53–56 that revealed that poor oral hygiene is an independent risk factor for the development of oral mucositis. Having and maintaining proper oral hygiene is fundamental in oral care, 57 as it helps to remove plaque and other debris that can contribute to the development of oral mucositis 58 .…”

“…This is because oral mucositis may be more prevalent in specific cancers compared to the others in different populations 29 . Additionally, a more prevalent use of chemoradiation in some of the previous studies might contribute to the risk of developing oral mucositis 30 . Some of these studies also were prospective in nature and had a high detection rate for ADRs, 31 compared to our study design which was cross‐sectional.…”

“…29 Additionally, a more prevalent use of chemoradiation in some of the previous studies might contribute to the risk of developing oral mucositis. 30 Some of these studies also were prospective in nature and had a high detection rate for ADRs, 31 compared to our study design which was cross-sectional. It could also be explained by better pharmacovigilance systems in different countries compared to the one in our settings which lead to better detection and reporting of ADRs.…”