Does Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Influence the Quality of Life of Cancer Patients?

Gianluca Tenore,Andrea Cassoni,Livia Ottolenghi,Valentino Valentini,Umberto Romeo,Gaspare Palaia,Antonella Polimeni,Antonella Francesca Rossi,Ahmed Mohsen,Federica Rocchetti

doi:10.3390/biomedicines8040095

Gianluca Tenore, Andrea Cassoni + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines8040095

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Journal: Biomedicines	Publication Date: Apr 24, 2020
Citations: 23	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Sapienza University of Rome

Abstract

The aim of this study is to observe the influence of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) on the physical and mental conditions of cancer patients using a Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaire during regular dental practice measures. Twenty cancer patients (8 males and 12 females) with established MRONJ were enrolled in the “MoMax” (Oral Medicine and Maxillofacial) project of the Department of Oral Sciences and Maxillofacial Surgery at “Sapienza” University of Rome, and were included in the study. The 12-item Short Form Survey was used to evaluate the QoL. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference for Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores based on age (p = 0.018). The regression analysis revealed that the Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores were negatively influenced by the anti-resorptive medication duration (p = 0.031 and β = −1.137). No significant differences were observed with the other variables considered. The QoL of cancer patients is generally deteriorated and MRONJ may cause a further negative impact. This study highlights the possible need to include psychosocial and physical evaluations in the management process of MRONJ in cancer patients.

Highlights

Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) is defined as an exposed or probed bone persisting for more than eight weeks in the maxillofacial region in patients with ongoing or a history of treatment with bone-modifying agents or angiogenic inhibitor agents [1,2,3]
About 40% of patients with MRONJ are non-cancer patients, the epidemiological data show that the risk is higher in cancer patients, with a prevalence between 0.2% and 6.7%
The prevalence is between 0% and 0.4% in patients with osteometabolic diseases [2,4]. This may be due to the existence of a high number of patients affected by osteometabolic diseases worldwide [4,5]

Summary

Introduction

Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) is defined as an exposed or probed bone persisting for more than eight weeks in the maxillofacial region in patients with ongoing or a history of treatment with bone-modifying agents or angiogenic inhibitor agents [1,2,3]. Despite the incidence of MRONJ being relatively low, it should be considered as a potentially serious and debilitating complication [4]. The cumulative incidence of MRONJ ranges from 1% to 9% of patients with advanced cancer [3]. About 40% of patients with MRONJ are non-cancer patients, the epidemiological data show that the risk is higher in cancer patients, with a prevalence between 0.2% and 6.7%. The prevalence is between 0% and 0.4% in patients with osteometabolic diseases [2,4]. This may be due to the existence of a high number of patients affected by osteometabolic diseases worldwide [4,5]

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