• Mr. Mahesh Sanjay Anarthe
• Dr. Rajendra Dashrath Lamkhede

Background of study: Radiation induced oral mucositis is common among patients with head and neck cancer and is one of the most devitalizing side effects of radiotherapy treatment. Mucositis generally appears 1 to 2 weeks after therapy is started and persist for many weeks. The incidence of mucositis is about 100% of patients receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. Objectives: To assess the existing level of oral mucositis among patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment. To assess coping strategies adopted by patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment. To determine association between severity of oral mucositis and selected socio-demographic variables. Material and methods: Descriptive study with cross sectional approach was used to assess oral mucositis and coping strategies. The sample consisted of 40 patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy treatment, who fulfilled eligibility criteria. Sampling techniques used for the present study was probability method, systemic random sampling technique. The data collection tools included socio-demographic questionnaires, oral mucosa rating scale (OMRS) by WHO and checklist prepared to assess coping strategies. Interview technique was used for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data according to objectives. Results: The demographic data showed that majority 77.5% of the study participants were in the age group of above 40 years, 67.5% were male, 97.5% were married, 40% study participants were illiterate, 45% of the study participants were farmer by occupation, 77.5% study participants resides in rural area, 82.5% were Hindu and 87.5% of the study participants were in the category of below 1 year of duration of illness. Majority 35% of the study participants found with the grade IV oral mucositis according to oral mucosa rating scale by WHO, followed by 30% with grade III, 22.5% with grade II, 7.5% with grade 0 and 5% with grade I of oral mucosa rating scale. Majority 35% of the study participants have adopted NGT (naso-gastric tube) insertion to deal with oral mucositis, followed by 27.5% chlorohexidine mouthwash and 22.5% oral ulcer gel use. There was no significant association found of oral mucosa rating scale (OMRS) grades scores of the study participants with their selected socio-demographic variables.

Oral mucositis, Radiotherapy treatment, Head and neck cancer

"A study to assess oral mucositis and coping strategies adopted by patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment for head and neck cancer at Dr. Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil, Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 9, page no.a354-a359, September-2023, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2309043.pdf

"A study to assess oral mucositis and coping strategies adopted by patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment for head and neck cancer at Dr. Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil, Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 9, page no. ppa354-a359, September-2023, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2309043.pdf