Adapting the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire for Oral Cancer to trauma patients.

Abstract

Assessing the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in maxillofacial trauma patients is essential for understanding the holistic impact of injury. Whilst validated tools exist for oral cancer, trauma-specific HRQOL questionnaires are lacking. The University of Washington Quality of Life (UOW-QOL) questionnaire for oral cancer was adapted to evaluate maxillofacial patients as a pilot study. The aim was to capture functional and psychosocial challenges unique to trauma, thereby improving patient care. Thirty-five patients who sustained facial injuries then underwent surgery at the Royal London Hospital were recruited. They were routinely followed up in clinic one to six months postoperatively and completed the adapted QOL questionnaire, tailored for maxillofacial trauma. Version 28 IBM SPSS statistics software was used for data analysis. There was a statistically significant association between the dentoalveolar region and QOL (p < 0.001), indicating a lower QOL, potentially reflecting current NHS dental care deficiencies. The total severity of complications was significantly correlated with QOL (p < 0.047), meaning an increase in the number and severity of complications led to QOL deterioration. Among the complications, appearance and scarring were significant (p < 0.03 and p < 0.029, respectively), with a negative self-perception of appearance and more severe scarring contributing to a lower QOL. A validated QOL questionnaire is needed to assess maxillofacial patients postoperatively for more standardised comparisons of outcomes. The researchers found this tool effective in evaluating the QOL of these patients, and believe that if future studies adopt it, more consistent and comparable data can be generated.