title: Quality of life in patients with maxillectomy prostheses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This cross-sectional study sought to determine patient quality of life and function after prosthetic rehabilitation for maxillary and palate defects following cancer resection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-nine patients were identified, 42 participated in the study (61%). The Obturator Functioning Scale (OFS) and 4 general quality of life measures (Mental Health Inventory [MHI], Impact of Events Scale [IES], Illness Intrusiveness Ratings Scale [IIRS], and Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [CES-D]) were correlated with clinical parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Leakage when swallowing foods was the most frequently reported problem with the obturator (29%). Positive correlation was noted between the OFS and both the IES subscales (p < .01) and CES-D (p < .001). Difficulty with speech and eating was associated with increased avoidance of social situations. The surgical approach had a significant effect on the OFS, IES, and MHI subscales (p < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results support the findings that good obturator function is associated with a better quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. jonathan.irish@uhn.on.ca
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Irish
authors.forename: Nimani
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sandhu
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gullane
authors.forename: Dale
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Devins
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Barker
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D008447:Maxillofacial Prosthesis / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011336:Probability; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult