Assessment of oral health-related quality of life among children with acute leukemia

Abstract

Aim: To assess the impact of oral health on the quality of life in children with acute leukemia. Methods: Forty children (age 11 to 14 years) with acute leukemia from the Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Departments of the 20th August Hospital Casablanca and the Pediatrics Department P3 at Abderrahim Harouchi Hospital Casablanca, Morocco were surveyed. Data was collected via an administered questionnaire. The questionnaire is a translated version of the Child-Oral Impacts of Daily Performance Questionnaire in Arabic (validated in Morocco). Results: The most commonly reported problems were: dental tartar, teeth position abnomalities, tooth decay, dental sensitivity and oral ulcerations. The overall prevalence of oral problems impacting upon daily activities (eating, speaking, cleaning teeth, relaxing, sleeping, smiling, showing teeth, studying and being in touch with other children) over the last 3 months was 52.5%. The most frequently affected daily activity was eating difficulties (45%) while the most frequently reported problem was oral ulcerations. Conclusion: Studies have confirmed that children over the age of 11 are able to perceive their general and oral health as well as its impact on their daily lives. The current study showed that oral problems on top of general health complications among children with acute leukemia lead to a deterioration in their quality of life, which is already affected by malignancy and chemotherapy.