Quality of life in Iranian patients with head-and-neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: The goal of treating cancer patients is to cure the patients and improve their quality of life (QoL) during their illness. The aim of this research was to assess the QoL in Iranian patients with head-and-neck cancer by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Head and Neck 35 (EORTC QLQ-H&N35) and University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UW-QoL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, Iranian variation of EORTC QLQ-H&N35 and UW-QoL questionnaires was administered to 210 patients with head-and-neck cancer. Patients who visited the Department of Oncology at Omid Hospital in Isfahan, Shafa Hospital in Kerman, and Emam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran were selected. Kruskal-Wallis test, general linear model multivariate of variance, multiple regression models, and SPSS version 21 were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In the present research work, 210 patients with cancer in head and neck were under investigation, such that 128 patients (61%) were male and 82 patients (39%) were female. Only the patients with laryngeal cancer scored worse for dyspnea according to the scores from UW-QoL questionnaires. There were statistically significant differences for pain, swallowing, social eating, social contact, speech, taste/smell, and trismus based on the QLQ-H&N35. Lower QoL was observed in patients with advanced (Stage III + IV) tumors and treated with radiotherapy plus surgical method. CONCLUSION: The study showed that quality of life differs due to location of tumor, stage of cancer, and treatment type.

Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Against Chemotherapy-induced Mucositis: A Double-blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This double-blind randomized clinical trial evaluates the ef cacy and route of administration of omega-3 fatty acids for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis in patients undergoing che- motherapy in Iranian hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients developing World Health Organization (WHO) grade 1 oral mucositis were randomized to the omega-3 fatty acid (n=30) or placebo (n=30) group. Mucositis was assessed according to the WHO, Western Consortium for Cancer Nursing Research, and Oral Mucositis Weekly Questionnaire cri- teria at baseline and rst, second, and third weeks of chemotherapy un- til mucositis resolved. RESULTS: Differences in the severity of mucositis between the omega-3 and placebo groups in the rst, second, and third weeks of treatment based on the WHO criteria were noted. This study showed that patients in the omega-3 group experienced less pain during the rst, second, and third weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Omega-3 fatty acids are a safe, effective method for preventing and treating oral mucositis in patients receiving mucotoxic cancer chemotherapy.

Effect of Long-term Smoking on Whole-mouth Salivary Flow Rate and Oral Health.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Change in the resting whole-mouth salivary flow rate (SFR) plays a significant role in patho-genesis of various oral conditions. Factors such as smoking may affect SFR as well as the oral and dental health. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effect of smoking on SFR, and oral and dental health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred smokers and 100 non-tobacco users were selected as case and control groups, respectively. A questionnaire was used to collect the demographic data and smoking habits. A previously used questionnaire about dry mouth was also employed. Then, after a careful oral examination, subjects' whole saliva was collected in the resting condition. Data was analyzed by chi-square test using SPSS 15. RESULTS: The mean (±SD) salivary flow rate were 0.38 (± 0.13) ml/min in smokers and 0.56 (± 0.16) ml/min in non-smokers. The difference was statistically significant (P=0.00001). Also, 39% of smokers and 12% of non-smokers reported experiencing at least one xerostomia symptom, with statistically significant difference between groups (p=0.0001). Oral lesions including cervical caries, gingivitis, tooth mobility, calculus and halitosis were significantly higher in smokers. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that long-term smoking would significantly reduce SFR and increase oral and dental disorders associated with dry mouth, especially cervical caries, gingivitis, tooth mobility, calculus, and halitosis.