OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to explore the impact of incorporating dentists into inpatient palliative care, with a focus on enhancing quality of life and alleviating symptom burden.
METHODS: In this monocentric study, data were gathered from a palliative care unit over an 8-month period. At the beginning of the multidisciplinary treatment, T0, patients underwent both a dental examination and interviews utilizing established questionnaires, the EORTC QLQ-C30 (core, general) and OH 15 (oral health). A week later, at T1, patients underwent a follow-up examination and interview. The QLQ-C30 and OH15 are widely recognized instruments developed by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) for evaluating health related quality of life in cancer patients.
RESULTS: A total of n = 103 patients (48.5% women) were enrolled in the study. The median duration since their last dental visit was 1 year, and the dental condition at T0 was desolate. At T1, statistically and clinically significant changes in oral quality of life and symptom burden were observed. Noteworthy changes were noted in the OH-QoL score (median 63 vs. 92, p < 0.001), sticky saliva (median 33 vs. 0, p < 0.001), sensitivity to food and drink (median 33 vs. 0, p < 0.001), sore mouth (median 33 vs. 0, p > 0.001), and poorly fitting dentures (median 33 vs. 0 p < 0.001). Additionally, improvements were observed in xerostomia candidiasis and mucositis.
CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the powerful contribution of integrating a dentist in inpatient palliative care. With very little dental effort and simple ward and bedside treatments, significant improvements in the oral symptom burden of critically ill palliative patients can be achieved. This contributes to improved care status, relief of distressing symptoms, and ultimately improved quality of life. The results strongly support the consideration of dental support as an integral part of palliative care units.
目的:本研究的目的是探讨将牙医纳入住院姑息治疗的影响,专注于提高生活质量和减轻症状负担。
方法:在这项单中心研究中,数据来自姑息治疗病房,为期8个月.在多学科治疗的开始,T0,患者接受了牙科检查和访谈利用既定的问卷,EORTCQLQ-C30(核心,一般)和OH15(口腔健康)。一周后,在T1时,患者接受了随访检查和访谈.QLQ-C30和OH15是由欧洲癌症研究与治疗组织(EORTC)开发的广泛认可的工具,用于评估癌症患者与健康相关的生活质量。
结果:共有103名患者(48.5%的女性)被纳入研究。自上次牙科就诊以来的中位持续时间为1年,T0时牙齿状况荒凉。在T1时,观察到口腔生活质量和症状负担的统计学和临床意义上的显着变化。在OH-QoL评分中注意到值得注意的变化(中位数63vs.92,p<0.001),粘稠的唾液(中位数33vs.0,p<0.001),对食物和饮料的敏感性(中位数33vs.0,p<0.001),口痛(中位数33vs.0,p>0.001),和不良的假牙(中位数33vs.0p<0.001)。此外,口干症念珠菌病和粘膜炎均有改善.
结论:该研究强调了在住院姑息治疗中整合牙医的有力贡献。很少的牙科工作和简单的病房和床边治疗,可以显著改善危重姑息患者的口腔症状负担.这有助于改善护理状况,缓解痛苦的症状,最终提高了生活质量。结果强烈支持将牙科支持视为姑息治疗单位不可或缺的一部分。