Association Between Xerostomia and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Post-Radiotherapy Patients with Head and Neck Cancer
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22452/adum.vol33.3Keywords:
xerostomia, oral health, quality of life, head and neck cancer, radiotherapyAbstract
Xerostomia (dry mouth) is a common and persistent side effect in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients following radiotherapy, often impairing oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL). This cross-sectional study assessed xerostomia prevalence, severity, and its association with OHRQoL among 107 post-radiotherapy HNC patients at Universiti Sains Malaysia Specialist Hospital. Participants completed the Malay versions of the Summated Xerostomia Inventory [SXI(M)] and the short Oral Health Impact Profile [S-OHIP(M)]. Xerostomia was reported by 93.5% of patients, with 53.3% experiencing moderate severity (mean SXI(M) score: 10.5, SD=2.89). Oral health impact was reported by 69.2% (mean S-OHIP(M) score: 13.7, SD=9.70). A significant positive correlation (r=0.652, p<0.001) indicated that higher xerostomia severity was linked to poorer OHRQoL. Logistic regression showed that each one-point increase in the SXI(M) score raised the odds of experiencing an oral health impact by 71–79%, with crude and adjusted odds ratios of 1.71 (95% CI: 1.36–2.14) and 1.79 (95% CI: 1.41–2.27), respectively. The model achieved 81.3% classification accuracy and an ROC area of 0.840. Findings underscore the high prevalence and impact of xerostomia, emphasising the need for routine assessment and patient-centred interventions to enhance survivorship care.
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