More than Magic, Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis Prevention

Abstract

Head and neck patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy are at a high risk of developing severe oral mucositis, a condition characterized by pharyngeal edema, ulceration, and pain. Oral mucositis can lead to complications such as dysphagia, dehydration, malnutrition, infections, and death. This may often lead to hospitalization and a pause in treatment, which in turn results in a poorer prognosis, increased costs, and a reduced quality of life. The More than Magic study evaluated whether the addition of dexamethasone and nystatin to Benadryl, 2% Viscous Lidocaine, and Maalox (BLM) Magic Mouthwash prevented the development of severe radiation-induced oral mucositis more effectively than BLM Magic Mouthwash alone. The retrospective study consisted of a convenience sample of males and non-pregnant females over the age of 18, with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores ranging from 0 to 3, who had completed conformal head and neck radiotherapy between March 2019 and March 2023 at a Southeast United States cancer center. The reviewed charts of participants were divided into the following two groups: 64 in the BLM Magic Mouthwash group and 31 using the BLM Magic Mouthwash with the dexamethasone and nystatin group. Univariate analysis revealed no significant difference in mucositis occurrence (p ≈ 1) or severe mucositis occurrence between the two groups (p = 0.9112). Logistic regression revealed that influences such as gender, initial functional scores, the tumor's viral origin, dental status before treatment, and increased oropharyngeal radiation doses were more impactful on mucositis onset (p = 0.00004). Additionally, the analysis highlighted a notably reduced incidence of thrush with the use of Magic Mouthwash with dexamethasone and nystatin (p = 0.0915).

Disciplines

Medical Specialties | Medicine and Health Sciences | Oncology

First Advisor

Sharon Stager

Date of Award

1-1-2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS