Characteristics and Referral of Head and Neck Cancer Patients Who Report Chewing and Dental Issues on the Patient Concerns Inventory

Overview

Journal Br Dent J

Specialty Dentistry

Date 2014 Jun 14

PMID 24923963

Citations 3

Authors

R Mahmood

C Butterworth

D Lowe

S N Rogers

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Patients experience considerable dental-related difficulties following head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment including problems with chewing, dry mouth, oral hygiene, appearance and self-esteem. These can go unrecognised in busy follow-up clinics. The Patient Concerns Inventory (PCI) is specifically for HNC patients, enabling them to select topics they wish to discuss and members of the multi-professional team they want to see.

Aim: The study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of patients raising dental concerns on the PCI and to explore the outcome of onward referral. Assessments included the PCI and the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UW-QOL) version 4, with clinic details collated from hospital and cancer databases.

Method: PCI data were obtained from 317 HNC patients between 2007 and 2011. Their mean age was 63 years and 60% were male. Most had oral squamous cell carcinoma and underwent surgery. The median (IQR) time from treatment to first PCI was 13 (4-42) months.

Results: Three comparison groups were identified: patients with significant chewing problems, patients without significant chewing problems who wanted to discuss dental-related concerns and patients without significant chewing problems who did not want to discuss such concerns. Fifty-two percent reported either a significant chewing problem on the UW-QOL or a wish to discuss dental-related concerns. A quarter specifically asked to talk to a dental professional. Clinical characteristics significantly associated with dental issues were stage, primary treatment and free flap reconstruction. Clinic letters were copied to only 10% of general dental practitioners (GDPs).

Conclusion: Better communication with GDPs is essential.

Citing Articles

The Patient Concerns Inventory in head and neck oncology: a structured review of its development, validation and clinical implications.

Kanatas A, Lowe D, Rogers S Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2022; 279(11):5097-5111.

PMID: 35842858 PMC: 9519723. DOI: 10.1007/s00405-022-07499-0.

The impact of pre-radiotherapy dental extractions on head and neck cancer patients: a qualitative study.

Clough S, Burke M, Daly B, Scambler S Br Dent J. 2018; 225(1):28-32.

PMID: 29930400 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2018.442.

Trends in the 15D health-related quality of life over the first year following diagnosis of head and neck cancer.

Aro K, Back L, Loimu V, Saarilahti K, Rogers S, Sintonen H Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2015; 273(8):2141-50.

PMID: 26216625 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-015-3732-4.

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