Patient-Reported Oral Symptoms and Their Impact on Well-Being After Haematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Oral complications may negatively influence outcomes of haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). A comprehensive view of oral symptoms and symptom burden post-HCT is lacking. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, severity, and temporal relationships of oral symptoms and their impact on well-being in the early post-HCT phase. Effects of transplant type and conditioning intensity were evaluated.

In this prospective multicentre observational study, adult HCT recipients were interviewed and completed questionnaires on oral symptoms and well-being three times a week during hospitalisation early post-HCT.

Of 194 patients, 177 (91.2%) reported oral symptoms. Dry mouth was the earliest and most common (80.9%) followed by oral pain (35.6%), thickening/swollen mucosa (33.0%), and taste changes (30.9%). Symptom frequency peaked on days 6 to 11 post-HCT and caused significant burden: 59.3% experienced moderate to severe distress and 53.6% reported moderate to severe impact on well-being. Symptom prevalence was highest among patients who received allogeneic HCT with MAC and those who underwent autologous HCT. Overall, MAC regimens were associated with earlier and more frequent symptoms, greater distress and higher impact on well-being during days 0 to 11 post-HCT compared to reduced/non-myeloablative regimens.

Oral symptoms are prevalent, burdensome and significantly impact well-being early post-HCT, underscoring the need for close monitoring and supportive oral care.