Self-reported oral health-related quality of life among pediatric oncology patients: a cross-sectional study at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya.
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BACKGROUND: Children diagnosed with cancer often experience a substantial decline in their quality of life partly attributed to cancer therapy-induced oral complications such as oral mucositis and dental caries. Self-perceived health questions provide insight into children's lived experiences and are valuable instruments in health research. This study evaluated the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of hospitalized children aged 8 to 12 years undergoing cancer therapy at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya, and examined the relationship between oral mucositis, dental caries, and OHRQoL in this population. METHODS: This descriptive, hospital-based study nested within a larger cross-sectional study was conducted in the pediatric oncology wards of Kenyatta National Hospital. Thirty-one children aged 8 to 12 years undergoing cancer therapy were enrolled. Data collection comprised a clinical oral examination to assess oral mucositis and dental caries. Oral mucositis was graded according to the WHO Oral Mucositis Scale (1979). Dental caries was evaluated using the dmft/DMFT index, while OHRQoL was measured using the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ8-10). RESULTS: Acute lymphocytic leukemia was the most common cancer (19.4%). The prevalence of oral mucositis was 35.5%, while 64.5% of participants presented with dental caries. Oral mucositis was linked to a significantly lower OHRQoL among affected children. DISCUSSION: Oral mucositis adversely affects the quality of life of children receiving cancer therapy. Children's self-reported perceptions offer valuable insights into how oral health influences their overall well-being. CONCLUSION: Integrating oral health professionals and an OHRQoL dimension into childhood cancer care offers a holistic approach to patient management and enhanced well-being.