(No) Oral Health in Palliative Care Patients: Predisposing Factors and Treatment.

Abstract

Objective: To describe mouth disorders in patients undergoing palliative care (PC); to identify predisposing factors for oral disorders and pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies.

Methods: Observational, exploratory, correlational, and descriptive study about mouth disorders of patients admitted to a hospital specializing in PC in Portugal, between November 6, 2019, and July 31, 2020. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire and the consultation of the patient's clinical file. It was obtained the previous authorization of the ethics committee and the patient's informed consent. Data were analyzed using the SPSS® software (V.26).

Results: The sample was 46, 56.52% were over 71 years old, and the male sex ratio of 63.04%. Most of the patients had an advanced oncological disease, were polymedicated, had missing teeth, and no regular hygiene habits. Xerostomia and oral candidiasis were the most identified problems. Patients with oncological diseases have more probability to suffer from mouth disorders (P = .047), compared to noncancer patients. Patients with frequent oral hygiene have fewer mouth disorders (rp = -0.304; P = .040). There is a considerable improvement in the tongue coating with an increase in oral hygiene (P = .005). Mouth care plays is important in patient comfort (n = 45; 97.83%) and nonpharmacological strategies are effective for the relief of xerostomia (n = 35; 94.59%).

Conclusions: Nonpharmacological strategies are effective in the treatment of xerostomia and tongue coating. More information to determine the effectiveness of the strategies in the treatment of mouth disorders is necessary.