Health-related quality of life among oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients: An exploratory study

Objectives To comprehensively explore the effect of several sociodemographic-, patient- and tumour-related factors on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients. Methodology Patients diagnosed with oral and oropharyngeal cancers were included in the present cross-sectional study. Information pertaining to various sociodemographic-, patient- and tumour-related factors was recorded. HRQoL was assessed using standard 12-item Short Form Health Survey version 2 (SF12V2), and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) was assessed by Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP). Results A total of 108 patients participated in the present study. Results revealed that nodal metastasis, histological differentiation and pain were significant predictors of OHRQoL, while site, size, stage, histological differentiation and pain were significant predictors of HRQoL. Pain was the single most significant negative determinant of HRQoL that was associated with worst total OHIP (B = 2.01, beta = 0.45, p < .0001), physical (B = -0.88, beta = -0.21, p = .017) and mental (B = -1.00, beta = -0.22, p = .016) component summary scores. Conclusions Number of sociodemographic-, patient- and tumour-related factors emerged as significant predictors of HRQoL and OHRQoL. Study results might help in formulating targeted treatment plan, optimising patient care and follow-up.