Quality of life and oral health of people undergoing chemotherapy: an observational study

Objectives: To investigate the impact of chemotherapy on the oral health and quality of life of patients at the Oncology Department of Vila Franca de Xira Hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study, with an analytical component, involved 76 patients aged between 18 and 65 in the hospital's Oncology Department. A questionnaire was administered to participants about changes in oral health and oral hygiene habits during chemotherapy, and to doctors to collect medical information related to chemotherapy. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics V.27, using descriptive and inferential methods at a 5% significance level (p<0.05). Results: After the start of chemotherapy, 89.5% of respondents experienced at least one oral alteration; the most common conditions that negatively impacted quality of life were edema of the mouth (p=0.050), trismus (p=0.040), mucositis (p=0.008), ulcers (p=0.008), and oral pain (p=0.003). More than 50% of respondents had an unsatisfactory oral health-related quality of life. Only the monoclonal antibody protocol was significantly associated (p=0.035) with oral symptoms, while the anthracycline group protocol was associated with a higher frequency of oral manifestations. Conclusions: The participants in the study had a high prevalence of self-reported oral alterations resulting from chemotherapy, with an impact on quality of life related to oral health, and there were differences between protocols. Understanding the signs and symptoms can help improve quality of life, enabling preventive actions.