Objectives: This study was planned to evaluate the impact of oral health on the quality of life (QoL) of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
Material and methods: We assessed 200 patients divided into two paired groups: 100 patients prior to HSCT (SG) and 100 healthy volunteers (CG). We applied the Oral Health Impact Profile instrument, which is based on the biopsychosocial problem gradation of World Health Organization (WHO) and relates oral health problems with QoL according to seven dimensions.
Results: Fourteen patients in SG were referred for extraction of one to eight teeth, mostly due to deep caries with risk of pulpal infection and possible spread of infection via blood (r = 0.59, p = 0.000). The presence of severely compromised teeth by extensive decay correlated with Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). The Mann-Whitney test showed a significant difference between SG and CG in the following dimensions: functional limitation (p < 0.001), physical pain (p = 0.025), physical disability (p = 0.016), and social disability (p = 0.01).
Conclusions: The impact of oral health on QoL of onco-hematologic patients is weak but is greater as compared to healthy ones. Nevertheless, a significant impact is seen in patients with severely compromised teeth.
Clinical relevance: The negligence of oral care, proper hygiene, and the search for dental care may increase the risk for local and systemic infections.
Keywords: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; Oral health; Quality of life; Sickness impact profile.