title: Progress of oral care and reduction of oral mucositis--a pilot study in a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation ward.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Oral mucositis is a common symptomatic complication associated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). We use simple strategies aimed to reduce oral mucositis by keeping the oral cavity clean and moist. Here, we report on the progress of oral care and the changes in the degree of oral mucositis. The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the effects of our strategies on the prevalence and the severity of oral mucositis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-three consecutive patients from 2003 to 2006 administered with conventional allogeneic HCT were enrolled in this study. The degree of oral mucositis was evaluated daily in all patients. Our oral care program was divided into two periods: "examination and trial period (2003 and 2004)" and "intensive oral care period (2005 and 2006)." In the latter, an oral care regimen was carried out systematically by a multidisciplinary team.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using our oral care strategies, the prevalence of ulcerative oral mucositis was decreased significantly. The rate was reduced from 76% (10 of 13) of patients with ulcerative oral mucositis in 2003 to only 20% (3 of 15) in 2006.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our pilot study suggests that oral mucositis in HCT patients can be alleviated by simple strategies aimed at keeping the oral cavity clean and moist.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology, Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Okayama 700-8525, Japan. stakashi@cc.okayama-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Soga
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sugiura
authors.forename: Kanayo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Hitomi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nishimoto
authors.forename: Yoshinobu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: Mitsune
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanimoto
authors.forename: Shogo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takashiba
mesh_terms: D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*