The impact of oral rehabilitation on oral health-related quality of life in patients receiving radiotherapy for the treatment of head and neck cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the influence of dental treatment on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in head and neck cancer patients.


METHODS
This study included the data of 116 patients who underwent radiotherapy (RT) because of head and neck cancer. For each patient, the variables age, sex, tumor site, irradiation technique, dose on the spared parotid gland, concomitant chemotherapy, and denture status were documented. OHRQoL was determined using the OHIP-G14 questionnaire. Patients were divided into subgroups according to denture status: none or fixed partial dentures (none/FPD), removable partial dentures (RPD), and full dentures (CD). OHIP summary scores were determined and tested for clinical relevant differences with respect to the different variables. The association between OHRQol and the variables was assessed using linear regression.


RESULTS
No clinically relevant influence on OHRQoL was found for gender, irradiation technique, and chemotherapy. Patients with tumors located in the oral cavity had a significantly higher OHIP score than patients with other tumor sites (p < 0.001). None/FPD and RPD patients had higher values than those found in a normal population, but did not differ significantly from each other (p = 0.387).


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to tumor site, teeth and type of denture seem to have a limited effect on OHRQoL in head and neck cancer patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Prosthetic treatment in head and neck cancer patients do not lead to the same improvement in OHRQoL as found in the normal population. This might be taken into account especially if extensive dental treatment is intended.
Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, University School of Dental Medicine, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Große Steinstr. 19, 06108, Halle, Germany. ramona.schweyen@medizin.uni-halle.de.
Ramona
R
Schweyen
Department of Radiotherapy, University Clinic, University Leipzig, Stephanstr. 9a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
Thomas
T
Kuhnt
Department of Medical Epidemiology, Biometry and Computer Science, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 8, 06112, Halle, Germany.
Andreas
A
Wienke
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120, Halle, Germany.
Alexander
A
Eckert
Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, University School of Dental Medicine, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Große Steinstr. 19, 06108, Halle, Germany.
Jeremias
J
Hey
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003778:Dentures; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009065:Mouth Rehabilitation; D009909:Oral Health; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Dental status; Head and neck cancer; Oral health-related quality of life; Radiotherapy; Tumor site