# Association Between Oral Health Complaints and Nutritional Status among Patients with Cancer: A Study Utilising the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form

## TL;DR

This study found that cancer patients with poor nutrition are more likely to experience oral health problems like dry mouth and mouth ulcers.

## Contribution

The study establishes a novel association between malnutrition and specific oral health complaints in cancer patients using the MNA-SF tool.

## Key findings

- Malnourished cancer patients reported higher rates of oral complaints like bleeding gums and mouth ulcers.
- Xerostomia was significantly associated with being at risk of malnutrition.
- Well-nourished patients experienced fewer oral health issues compared to malnourished individuals.

## Abstract

Oral health problems in patients with cancer can substantially affect their quality of life, treatment outcomes, and overall nutritional well-being. This study investigated the relationship between nutritional status and self-reported oral health complaints in patients with cancer.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with cancer at the King Saud University Medical City Oncology Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Patients’ nutritional status was assessed using the mini nutritional assessment short form (MNA-SF), and self-reported oral health problems were documented. Data were analysed using the Chi-square test and multinomial logistic regression.

This study included 200 participants who completed both the MNA-SF assessment and self-reported their oral health complaints. Common oral health problems included xerostomia (81%), bleeding gums (60.5%), toothaches (35%), and mouth ulcers (24%). Malnourished individuals reported higher rates of all oral complaints, with 54% of them experiencing bleeding gums, 50% reporting toothaches, and 54% experiencing speech problems. Notably, 71% of malnourished patients reported mouth ulcers (P < 0.05). Regression analysis revealed a statistically significant association (P < 0.05) between xerostomia and the ‘At risk of malnutrition’ group, with an odds ratio of 1.004 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.411–2.449). In the ‘Malnourished’ category, mouth ulcers showed a statistically significant association (P < 0.05) with an odds ratio of 1.402 (95% CI: 0.409–4.800).

Our findings highlighted statistically significant correlations between nutritional status, as assessed using the MNA-SF, and oral health complaints in patients with cancer. Well-nourished individuals reported fewer oral complaints, whereas malnourished patients reported a higher prevalence of oral health issues.