Factors associated with postoperative oral dysfunction in patients with oral cancer: a structural equation modeling study.

OBJECTIVE

Oral dysfunction frequently occurs after oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) treatment, and multiple methods exist for measuring oral function; however, no reports have comprehensively measured oral function changes after OSCC treatment using a standardized and validated method. This study investigated oral function changes after OSCC treatment and identified factors associated with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL).

METHODS

This prospective observational cohort study included patients treated by an oral and maxillofacial surgery team at a tertiary university hospital from September 30, 2019, to December 31, 2024. Clinical data on oral function, OHRQoL measured using the General Oral Health Assessment Index, and general health status before and after treatment were reviewed.

RESULTS

This study included 112 patients (median age, 73.0 years; 69.6 % male) with OSCC. The number of microorganisms, occlusal force, tongue pressure, masticatory function, and EAT-10 significantly deteriorated after treatment (P < 0.05). General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) score was significantly associated with tongue pressure (B, -7.36; 95 % confident interval [CI] of B, -11.28--3.44; P < 0.01), and EAT-10 (B, -0.35; 95 % CI, -12.02--4.33; P < 0.01). We found that patient background data and multiple postoperative oral functions were associated with OHRQoL assessed using the GOHAI.

CONCLUSION

Oral cancer treatment impairs occlusal force, tongue pressure, masticatory function and EAT-10. Tongue pressure and EAT-10 interacted with other oral functions and deteriorates oral health-related QoL.