Depressive symptoms and oral mucositis in children with oncological diseases: a cross-sectional study
Felipe Barreto Lemos1, Andressa Chang Fernandes Rodrigues da Silva1, Fernanda Pereira Lima1
1Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, School of Dentistry, Departament of Social Dentistry and Pediatrics, Salvador, BA, Brasil.
Insights
This study found a link between oral mucositis and depressive symptoms in pediatric cancer patients. Pain from oral mucositis may contribute to depression, impacting quality of life during hospitalization.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Clinical Psychology
- Oral Medicine
Background:
- Oral mucositis (OM) is a common and debilitating side effect of cancer treatment in children.
- Depressive symptoms can significantly impact a child's overall well-being and treatment adherence.
- Understanding the relationship between OM and psychological distress is crucial for comprehensive pediatric cancer care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between depressive symptoms and the occurrence and severity of oral mucositis in pediatric cancer patients.
- To identify specific factors related to oral mucositis that may be associated with depressive symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving pediatric patients (4-18 years) with primary neoplasms.
- Data collection using questionnaires: World Health Organization (WHO) index for OM degree, Child's International Mucositis Evaluation Scale (CIMES) for OM risk, and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) for depressive symptoms.
- Statistical analysis included Spearman's correlation, chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests (p<0.05).
Main Results:
- A statistically significant correlation was found between depressive symptoms and the degree of oral mucositis (p = 0.044).
- The 'pain' variable within the risk of oral mucositis showed a significant association with depressive symptoms (p = 0.021).
Conclusions:
- Oral mucositis may be associated with the development of depressive symptoms in pediatric cancer patients.
- Hospitalization and the experience of pain related to oral mucositis can influence depressive symptoms, negatively affecting quality of life.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between depressive symptoms and the occurrence of oral mucositis in children with oncological diseases treated at a reference hospital. This was a cross-sectional study conducted with individuals aged 4 to 18 years, diagnosed with primary neoplasms. Data was collected by using a questionnaire that assessed the degree of oral mucositis according to the World Health Organization index, the risk of oral mucositis according to the Child's International Mucositis Evaluation Scale, and depressive symptoms using the Children's Depression Inventory. The data were analyzed and subjected to Spearman's correlation, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test, considering p<0.05. A statistically significant correlation was observed between depressive symptoms and the degree of oral mucositis (p = 0.044), and also between the "pain" variable within the risk of oral mucositis and depressive symptoms (p = 0.021). Based on the findings, it can be inferred that oral mucositis may be associated with the development of depressive symptoms and may be influenced by the individual's hospitalization, thereby affecting the quality of life of pediatric patients.
