1.
Taste and smell disturbances in patients with chronic oral graft vs. host disease: An observational study
Boor, M., Raber-Durlacher, J. E., Hazenberg, M. D., Rozema, F. R., Laheij, Amga
Frontiers in oral health. 2022;3:934607
Abstract
BACKGROUND A common complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) is chronic oral graft vs. host disease (cGvHD). Oral cGvHD may present as mucosal lesions, salivary gland dysfunction, and trismus. Moreover, taste and smell ability may be affected, but the prevalence, nature and severity of altered taste and smell function, and their impact on quality of life (QoL) are understudied. AIM: To identify the prevalence, nature, and severity of taste and smell disturbances, their impact on QoL and to assess whether altered taste/smell ability is associated with oral mucosal cGvHD or hyposalivation. MATERIALS AND METHODS AlloHSCT recipients at least 100 days post-HSCT and referred for oral cGvHD-related oral complaints were eligible for participation in this cross-sectional study. Manifestations of oral mucosal cGvHD were scored, the (un)stimulated salivary flow was measured, and objective taste and smell ability was evaluated. Subjective taste and smell alterations, and overall and oral health (OH)-related QoL were assessed. RESULTS In total, 45 patients were included, of which objective reduced taste ability (hypogeusia) was identified in 68.9%; 28.9% had reduced smell ability and 11.1% had complete loss of smell. Nevertheless, only 31.1% of patients reported severe taste alterations and 22% reported moderate taste alterations indicating that not all the patients were aware of their altered taste sense. Taste/smell disturbances were not related to oral mucosal cGvHD or hyposalivation. Most alloHSCT recipients reported a decreased OH-related QoL. However, a relation between taste/smell ability and global or OH-related QoL could not be identified. CONCLUSION Taste and smell disturbances are prevalent among alloHSCT recipients. Most patients reported a decreased OH-related QoL, but the specific impact of taste and smell disturbances remains to be elucidated.
2.
Oral health and dental morbidity in long-term allogeneic blood and marrow transplant survivors in Australia
Dyer, G., Brice, L., Schifter, M., Gilroy, N., Kabir, M., Hertzberg, M., Greenwood, M., Larsen, S. R., Moore, J., Gottlieb, D., et al
Australian dental journal. 2018
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oral and dental disease is a major cause of long-term morbidity following allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation (Allo-BMT). This study aimed to describe the extent and range of oral and dental complications in BMT recipients, and to identify gaps in service provision provided to this high-risk group. METHODS Participants were Allo-BMT recipients, aged >18years, and received transplants between 2000-2012 in NSW. They completed seven surveys, the purpose-designed Sydney Post-BMT Study survey and six other validated instruments. RESULTS Of 441 respondents, many reported dry mouth (45.1%), dental caries (36.7%), mouth ulcers (35.3%), oral GVHD (35.1%), gingivitis (16.2%), tooth abscess (6.1%) and oral cancer (1.5%). Regular dental visits were reported by 66.2% of survivors. Middle-high income, older age and geographic location showed a positive association with regular dental visits. Of those who did not visit the dentist regularly, 37% stated they did not feel it necessary, 36% reported cost and 20% stated it was not advised by the treating team. CONCLUSION Despite oral complications commonly occurring after Allo-BMT many survivors receive inadequate dental care. These results emphasize the need for improved oral health education, the importance of regular dental checks, and improvement in the delivery of dental health services for BMT survivors. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.