Oral discomfort is highly prevalent in palliative care patients. Despite its prevalence, poor oral health among advanced cancer patients is underestimated and underreported, and a neglected aspect of patient care and research.
Objectives
The specific aims are to:
1) systematic assessing, both objectively and subjectively, the oral health of cancer patients in palliative care,
2) testing the efficacy of an herbal mouth rinse intervention for oral symptoms in a randomized controlled trial (RCT), and
3) describing in vitro fungal variation and sensitivity/resistance to available antifungal agents.
Background
Data were collected at Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital in Oslo, Norway, from February 2014 to September 2016. The Regional Committee for Medical Research Ethics, Health Region South-East Norway approved the study in October 2013 (reference #2013/1531). The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (reference #NCT02067572) in February 2014.
Cooperation
OralHAC is a collaboration between Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Institute of Clinical Dentistry and Institute of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, and the Department for Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo.
Awards
A poster from the study won the 1st prize at the World Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care in Berlin in May 2019.
Financing
Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo
Bundi Cancer Support Foundation, Oslo
Kirsten Rønnings Endowment, Oslo
South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority (reference #2021026), Norway
Publication
Monsen RE, Herlofson BB, Gay C, Fjeld KG, Hove LH, Malterud KE, Saghaug E, Slaaen J, Sundal T, Tollisen A, Lerdal A. A mouth rinse based on a tea solution of Salvia officinalis for oral discomfort in palliative cancer care: a randomized controlled trial. Support Care Cancer. 2021 Feb 14. doi: 10.1007/s00520-021-06021-2. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06021-2