Prevalence of oral manifestations in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the main oral manifestations resulting from chemotherapy in oncology patients. Methods: This is an observational study, descriptive, retrospective, and quantitative, conducted through data collection from the medical records of patients undergoing chemotherapy at Hospital do Bem, in Patos, Paraíba. The included records contained data on age group, type of cancer, and identified oral manifestations. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CEP/HUAC/UFCG No. 6.831.643). The Jamovi statistical software was used to obtain descriptive and inferential analyses using the Shapiro-Wilk test, confirmed by Pearson's Chi-square test. Results: In a sample of 140 patients, there was a predominance of females (77.14%), an age group of 40 to 60 years (44%), the most prevalent type of cancer was breast cancer (58.0%). Oral manifestations were present in 55% of the patients, with xerostomia being the most common (48.1%), followed by dysgeusia (26.0%). Conclusion: Oral manifestations resulting from chemotherapy are quite frequent in oncology patients, highlighting the need for dental monitoring before, during, and after the conclusion of treatment, to improve the quality of life of this population.