ASSESSMENT OF LABIAL AND ORAL DRYNESS, ORAL ULCERATIONS IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS UNDER PALLIATIVE CARE

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the frequency of lip and oral dryness as well as the presence of oral ulcerations in hospitalized patients under palliative care, and correlate them with their systemic diseases. Study Design A cross-sectional and observational study comprising 38 patients, 14 women and 24 men, 59.4 ± 10.3 years-old, under palliative care was conducted at a University Hospital from Curitiba, Brazil. Data collection was performed in two stages: firstly, the study of hospital records to collect data such as the basal disease and secondly, the clinical examination for the diagnosis of lip and oral dryness and oral ulcerations. Results The chi-square statistical test did not show a significant correlation between lip and oral dryness, as well as the presence of oral ulcerations, when correlated to the presence of systemic diseases, specifically head and neck cancer (N=15) (p>0.05). Conclusion Although there was no statistical correlation between lip and oral dryness and oral ulcerations with systemic diseases, these oral alterations were diagnosed predisposing a significant oral discomfort. Therefore, the importance of dental care for patients under palliative care during the hospitalization is fundamental to relieving their suffering and improving their quality of life. To evaluate the frequency of lip and oral dryness as well as the presence of oral ulcerations in hospitalized patients under palliative care, and correlate them with their systemic diseases. A cross-sectional and observational study comprising 38 patients, 14 women and 24 men, 59.4 ± 10.3 years-old, under palliative care was conducted at a University Hospital from Curitiba, Brazil. Data collection was performed in two stages: firstly, the study of hospital records to collect data such as the basal disease and secondly, the clinical examination for the diagnosis of lip and oral dryness and oral ulcerations. The chi-square statistical test did not show a significant correlation between lip and oral dryness, as well as the presence of oral ulcerations, when correlated to the presence of systemic diseases, specifically head and neck cancer (N=15) (p>0.05). Although there was no statistical correlation between lip and oral dryness and oral ulcerations with systemic diseases, these oral alterations were diagnosed predisposing a significant oral discomfort. Therefore, the importance of dental care for patients under palliative care during the hospitalization is fundamental to relieving their suffering and improving their quality of life.