Luísa Comerlato Jardim1,2, Priscila Trindade Flores3,4, Maria do Carmo Dos Santos Araújo3, Juarez Chiesa5, Cristina Machado Bragança de Moraes3,4, Raquel Pippi Antoniazzi6,7. 1. School of Dentistry, Universidade Franciscana, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. luisacomerlato@hotmail.com. 2. Master's Degree in Health and Life Sciences, Universidade Franciscana, Silva Jardim, 1175 - Centro, Santa Maria, RS, 97010-491, Brazil. luisacomerlato@hotmail.com. 3. Master's Degree in Health and Life Sciences, Universidade Franciscana, Silva Jardim, 1175 - Centro, Santa Maria, RS, 97010-491, Brazil. 4. School of Nutrition, Universidade Franciscana, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. 5. School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. 6. School of Dentistry, Universidade Franciscana, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. 7. School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among breast cancer survivors and identify possible factors associated with the outcome. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 151 women in follow-up at a hospital after treatment for breast cancer. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, general health, and breast cancer. Clinical examinations were performed to determine caries experience using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire was administered for the assessment of OHRQoL. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associated factors after adjustments for confounding variables. RESULTS: The mean OHIP-14 score was 12.8 (SD 10.92). The prevalence of negative impact was 58.9%. A negative impact was associated with depression, the diagnosis of breast cancer, chemotherapy, number of restored teeth, and xerostomia (p < 0.05). In the adjusted analysis, only the oral variables remained significantly associated with the outcome. CONCLUSION: A greater number of restored teeth and xerostomia exert a negative impact on the OHRQoL of women who have survived breast cancer, which suggests the need for special attention to the oral health of this population.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among breast cancer survivors and identify possible factors associated with the outcome. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 151 women in follow-up at a hospital after treatment for breast cancer. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, general health, and breast cancer. Clinical examinations were performed to determine caries experience using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire was administered for the assessment of OHRQoL. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associated factors after adjustments for confounding variables. RESULTS: The mean OHIP-14 score was 12.8 (SD 10.92). The prevalence of negative impact was 58.9%. A negative impact was associated with depression, the diagnosis of breast cancer, chemotherapy, number of restored teeth, and xerostomia (p < 0.05). In the adjusted analysis, only the oral variables remained significantly associated with the outcome. CONCLUSION: A greater number of restored teeth and xerostomia exert a negative impact on the OHRQoL of women who have survived breast cancer, which suggests the need for special attention to the oral health of this population.
Entities:
Keywords:
Breast cancer; Oral health; Quality of life