Self-perceived oral health, toothbrushing frequency and quality of life of patients undergoing cancer treatment

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of both exposures self-perceived oral health and daily brushing frequency and the outcome quality of life of cancer patients. Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, carried out with 399 cancer patients treated by an institution in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Tooth brushing frequency and self-perceived oral health were obtained through interviews and quality of life through the EORTC QLQ-C30 instrument. Statistical analysis consisted of descriptive and bivariate analyses followed by the use of multiple linear generalized models. Results: Most participants reported self-perception of good oral health (89.2%), being that 55.6% brush their teeth three or more times daily. Better quality of life was observed in the social capacity and diarrhea subscales, whereas worse quality of life was recorded in the insomnia and emotional capacity subscales. Self-perceived poor oral health was associated with worse quality of life scores in two symptoms [fatigue (p = 0.007) and pain (p = 0.024)] and the following subscales: functional capacity (p = 0.006), emotional capacity (p = 0.013), cognitive capacity (p = 0.008), and social capacity (p = 0.022), independently of socioeconomic and health conditions. Tooth brushing frequency was not associated with any subscale. Conclusion: Self-perception of poor oral health was associated with a worse quality of life, however, the frequency of toothbrushing did not affect the quality of life of cancer patients.