Oral Health Related Quality of Life in Patients with Xerostomia Following Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the oral health-related quality of life in head and neck cancer patients after radiotherapy treatment who present with xerostomia.

Methods: This was a cross sectional study carried out over six months from July to December, 2025 with 118 patients who were attending the outpatient department of Oral Pathology who were having xerostomia as a sequalae of radiotherapy. A structured questionnaire was used for measuring OHRQoL were used. SPSS version 24 was used for data analysis and p≤ 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The mean age reported was 52.6 ± 11.8 years, and the male predominance was 69.5%. The most impacted domain of OHRQoL was dry mouth, followed by swallowing problems and social eating restrictions. The xerostomia severity, oral hygiene status, age, gender and socioeconomic status showed a significant association with OHRQoL (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Radiotherapy causes xerostomia, which greatly affects the oral health-related quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors. Timely diagnosis, prevention, and multidisciplinary treatment are important to optimize functional and psychosocial outcomes.