Abstract
Introduction
Oral mucositis is the most common side effect induced by chemotherapy. This awful side effect leads to remarkable decrease in the patient's quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of chemotherapy induced oral mucositis and to analyze risk factors associated with this side effect.
Materials and Methods
A cross sectional study was carried out from July 2022 to December 2022 at the department of Medical Oncology of Salah Azaiz institute, Tunis, Tunisia. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected from patients interviews and medical records. Patients were evaluated for their mucositis and grades by their oncologist after chemotherapy administration and before each cycle. The statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS software version 23.
Results
The prevalence of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis is important 58%. 70% of which was grade 2 to 4 and 30% was grade 1. A number of chemotherapy courses equal to 3–6 cycles (OR = 17.612; 95%CI [3.304–93.87]; p = 0.001) or more than 6 cycles of chemotherapy (OR = 17.754; 95%CI [4.0–77.9]; p = 0.0001) are risk factors which exposed patients to oral mucocitis. Moreover, tobacoo smoking is a risk factor for developing oral mucositis (OR = 4.133; CI 95% [1–17.142]; p = 0.051).
Conclusion
Our study highlighted that chemotherapy induced oral mucositis is a prevalent side effect. The important risk factors are: number of cycle chemotherapy and tobacco smoking. Hence, oncologists and pharmacists should recommend preventive measures according the above risk factors in order to diminish the incidence of oral mucositis.
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