Impact of oral care protocol on the incidence and severity of stomatitis induced by radiotherapy

Abstract

Background: Oral stomatitis is a common debilitating complication of cancer radiotherapy. It results from local effects of radiation on the oral mucosa. The impact of oral stomatitis is far-reaching for patients, caregivers and the medical system. Objective: the aim of the study was to assess impact of oral care protocol to radiotherapy induced stomatitis in cancer patients. Methods: Quasi-experimental research design was conducted in the Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department at Main Mansoura University Hospital. The data were collected from two hundred adult patients of both sex randomized selected who corresponded to inclusion criteria and divided into two groups. Results: the result indicates increased total knowledge score for patients at immediate post more than post tests 1 and post test 2. Also it was found decreased incidence and severity of stomatitis after oral care protocol. There were a positive relation between severity and incidence of stomatitis of studied patients in relation to their knowledge. Conclusion: The implementation of oral care protocol had a positive effect on the studied patients' total knowledge scores and decrease incidence and severity of stomatitis in the study group. It was recommended that, Cancer patients should be given a written instruction plan for their radiotherapy steps and selfmanagement measures to radiotherapy.