Factors affecting quality of life in cancer patients with medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw- A cross sectional study- Part 1.

Abstract

Purpose. In recent years, the occurrence of medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) in cancer patients has garnered increasing attention. In the Indian subcontinent, a scarcity of literature exists on MRONJ-related Quality of Life (QoL). Addressing this critical knowledge gap, our objective was to evaluate the influence of various patient socio-demographic, disease and MRONJ related factors on patient’s QoL. Methods. Following Institutional Ethic Committee approval and informed consent, a cross-sectional study was conducted enrolling thirty adult cancer patients with MRONJ. The comprehensive evaluation encompassed data collection on socio-demographic, medical history, dental history and MRONJ-related characteristics. To assess various dimensions of QoL, we employed EORTC QLQ-C30 and H&N35 questionnaires to assess the patient's overall and site-specific QoL respectively. Correlational analysis was performed to assess the association of various variables and QoL. Results. Age, sex, education, tobacco chewing, smoking habits, trismus exhibited no significant correlation with QoL scores. Our findings indicated significant decline in global health status with advancing MRONJ stages and intravenous drug administration. Maxillary MRONJ exhibited significantly better emotional well-being compared to mandibular involvement. Significant association were observed between presence of comorbidities, bone metastasis, extraoral swelling, dental extraction, and adverse scores in various domains of EORTC QLQ-H&N35. Conclusion. Our results highlight the distinctive challenges encountered by MRONJ patients, emphasizing the potential influence of MRONJ site, stage, and various systemic and local factors on the quality of life in cancer patients. Further exploration in larger, prospective studies are essential, offering valuable insights for long-term follow-up of these patient subgroups.