Journal article
Oral Health in Adult Patients Receiving Palliative Care: A Mixed Method Study
American journal of hospice & palliative medicine, Vol.38(12), pp.1516-1525
12/2021
DOI: 10.1177/10499091211007449
PMID: 33792405
Abstract
Oral disease is highly prevalent in persons receiving palliative care (PRPC). Yet, little is known about how PRPC perceive their oral health status and related treatment needs.
This mixed-method study included 49 English-speaking PRPC (age≥18) recruited from the University of Iowa Palliative Care Clinic. Participants first completed a structured review of oral symptoms, followed by an oral exam. A nested sample of 11 participants also completed a semi-structured, in-depth interview querying their perceived oral health concerns and related treatment needs. Quantitative and qualitative data was analyzed and integrated for interpretation.
Participants averaged 58.4 years. Nearly 70% had terminal cancer and 25% had advanced organ failure. Eighty-six percent of participants reported at least one oral symptom, including dry mouth (83.7%), a pain-related symptom (40.8%), or oral function difficulties (51.0%). Among the 31 dentate participants, 52% had untreated decayed/broken teeth and 33.3% had oral soft tissue lesions. Ill-fitting dentures and denture sores were common among denture users. About 40% of participants reported compromised health and/or quality of life due to oral conditions; however, the perceived impacts were modest. With the exception of painful conditions, oral treatment was not a priority for most of the participants.
Oral disease was highly prevalent in PRPC, yet its overall impact was modest. In the absence of painful symptoms, most participants reported limited desire to seek treatment for oral health conditions. However, given the serious impacts of untreated oral diseases, oral healthcare decision should not be based solely on self-reported symptoms or distress.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Oral Health in Adult Patients Receiving Palliative Care: A Mixed Method Study
- Creators
- Xi Chen - University of IowaViolet D'Souza - University of TorontoTimothy A Thomsen - Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of MedicineStephanie Gilbertson-White - University of IowaJirakate Madiloggovit - University of IowaChandler Pendleton - University of IowaArshi Munjal - University of IowaXie Xianjin - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- American journal of hospice & palliative medicine, Vol.38(12), pp.1516-1525
- DOI
- 10.1177/10499091211007449
- PMID
- 33792405
- ISSN
- 1049-9091
- eISSN
- 1938-2715
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/2021
- Academic Unit
- Preventive and Community Dentistry; Biostatistics; Nursing; Dental Research; General Internal Medicine; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984359806802771
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