Oral care practices and oral mucositis in adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, or both in a private tertiary care hospital, Karachi, Pakistan

Aim The study aimed to identify the practices of oral care among adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or both. The study also intended to find the association of oral care practices with the occurrence of oral mucositis. Methods The cross-sectional study was conducted in a private tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. The data was collected from 207 cancer patients, above 18 years of age. An adopted tool was used to explore the oral care practices of the participants, and the World Health Organization (WHO) tool was used to assess the grades of mucositis. Results The study found that the participants performed oral care practices using different techniques, including 81.6% brushing teeth, 8.2% using dental floss, 86.5% rinsing mouth, (6.3%) visiting dentists, and (14.5%) taking care of their lips. Among the study participants, 59.9% developed grade one, 31.9% developed grade two, 4.8% developed grade three, and 3.4% developed grade four oral mucositis. The oral mucositis was found statistically significant with gender ( p -value <0.001), treatment type ( p- value <0.001), use, type, and frequency of brushing ( p- value <0.001), rinsing mouth ( p- value<0.05), and type of meal and fluid intake ( p- value <0.001). Conclusion This study concluded that the development and severity of OM can be decreased through regular use of oral care practices, regular mucosal assessment, and health education regarding oral care practices.