Impact of chronic oral mucosal disease on daily life: preliminary observations from a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the experience of daily life of persons with chronic oral mucosal conditions.
METHODS: Purposive sampling was used to recruit patients from the Oral Medicine Unit of Cork University Dental School and Hospital. An experienced independent facilitator convened the focus groups and conducted individual interviews in a non clinical setting. Focus groups were mixed with regard to gender, age, chronic oral mucosal condition, time since diagnosis and severity. A total of 24 patients took part, including patients with oral lichen planus, mucous membrane pemphigoid, pemphigus vulgaris, recurrent aphthous stomatitis and orofacial granulomatosis.
RESULTS: Analysis of the interviews revealed that patient views could be divided into the following themes - biopsychosocial issues, treatment limitations and side effects, unpredictability of the conditions and the potential for malignant transformation and issues for the healthcare professionals.
CONCLUSION: Chronic oral mucosal conditions impact upon the experience of daily life of patients in a variety of areas from physical health and functioning, to concerns about their future. The role of the oral medicine practitioner in treating patients with chronic oral mucosal diseases extends beyond active management and symptomatic relief to the management of all aspects of these conditions that impact upon their daily lives.