Prevalence of Oral Mucositis among Cancer Patient’s Undergoing Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: India has one of the highest incidences of oral cancer in the world. The burden of oral cancer is distributed unequally between developed and developing countries. Cancer causes about 13% of all human deaths in 2007. Oral cancer ranks number one among men and number three among women. Mucositis is considered as one of the most common oral problems associated with cancer. Around 40%–70% of cancer patients undergoing high dose of chemotherapy and radiotherapy develops mucositis, which manifests itself as intense erythema in the treated areas, and patients suffer from difficulties with swallowing. Developing on the severity, oral mucositis is classified as tolerable (grade 1 and 2 mucositis) and intolerable mucositis (grade 3 or 4). In severe conditions, mucositis also contributes to local and systemic infections.Aim: The main aim of this study was to know the prevalence of oral mucositis among patients with cancer. Materials and Methods: Quantitative research approach was used for this study. Sixty samples including 40 male and female patients in Cancer Trust Hospital, Puducherry, were selected by simple random sampling technique. The data collection was done by using WHO Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. Result: The study showed that, out of 40 patients, 18 (45%) of them have grade 1 level of oral mucositis, 15 (37.5%) of them have grade 2 level of oral mucositis, and 7 (17.5%) of them have grade 2 level of oral mucositis. Conclusion: The main study was to assess the prevalence of oral mucositis among patients with cancer in Cancer Trust Hospital at Puducherry. This study revealed that the prevalence of oral mucositis is high among patients with cancer.

Background: India has one of the highest incidences of oral cancer in the world. The burden of oral cancer is distributed unequally between developed and developing countries. Cancer causes about 13% of all human deaths in 2007¹.Oral cancer ranks number one among men and number three among women. Mucositis is considered as one of the most common oral problems associated with cancer.² Around 40%– - 70% of cancer patients undergoing high dose of chemotherapy and radiotherapy develops mucositis, which manifests itself as intense erythema in the treated areas, and patients suffer from difficulties with swallowing. Developing on the severity, oral mucositis is classified as tolerable(grade 1 and 2 mucositis) and intolerable mucositis(grade3 or 4). In severe conditions, mucositis also contributes to local and& systemic infections.³Aim:The main aim of the currentthis study was to know the prevalence of oral mucositis among patients with cancer.Materials and Methods: Quantitative research approach was used for this study. Sixty samples including 40 male and female patients in Cancer Trust Hospital, Puducherry, were selected by simple random sampling technique. The data collection was done by using WHO Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics.Result: The study showed that, the level of oral mucositis out of 40 patients, 18 (45%)of them have grade 1 level of oral mucositis, 15(37.5%) of them have grade 2 level of oral mucositis, and 7 (17.5%) of them have grade 2 level of oral mucositis.Conclusion: The main study was to assess the prevalence of oral mucositis among patients with cancer in Cancer Trust Hospital at Puducherry. This study revealed that the prevalence of oral mucositis is high among patients with cancer.