Benefits of the Involvement of Dentists in Managing Oral Complications Among Patients With Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer: An Analysis of Claims Data

2021 ◽  
pp. OP.20.00892
Author(s):  
Sung Eun Choi ◽  
Abhishek Choudhary ◽  
Stephen Sonis ◽  
Alessandro Villa

PURPOSE: Patients with oral cancer and oropharyngeal cancer frequently develop treatment-related oral complications that negatively affect patients' quality-of-life, cost, and health outcomes. We investigated whether the provider specialty affected the costs and treatment duration of managing oral complications. METHODS: Using deidentified claims from a commercial insurer from 2008 to 2019, we compared costs and duration of common oral complication management between patients whose care included a dentist, with those whose care did not include a dentist. Our primary outcomes were treatment cost and duration. Multivariate linear regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between the primary outcomes and involvement of dentists. Separate analyses were conducted for acute and chronic oral complications. RESULTS: Involvement of dentists in oral complications management resulted in lower costs and shorter treatment duration for acute complications on average. For chronic complications, when dentists were involved, the average cost was higher by $1,672 (USD) (95% CI, 1,124 to 2,219), but the average treatment duration was shorter by 74 days (95% CI, 62 to 84). When complications were acute, dentists’ intervention was beneficial for dentofacial functional abnormalities, disorders of teeth and supporting structures, stomatitis and mucositis (ulcerative), and thrush, in terms of both costs and duration. Among chronic complications, dental caries was the only complication type that resulted in lower cost and shorter treatment duration with dentists’ involvement. CONCLUSION: Oral complications of cancer therapy incur a significant financial and clinical burden. Involvement of dentists results in shorter treatment duration, while lowering the financial burden of care for certain complication types.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-16
Author(s):  
Akshay Kumar ◽  
◽  
Vinita N/A ◽  

CP is the foremost cause of motor disability in children and affects two to five children in 1000 live births worldwide. It is been recognized as a global concern medically, socially, and economically due to the increasing financial burden to the states. About half of the children with cerebral palsy suffer a range of motion difficulties. The study aims to understand the role of orthotic devices and its efficacy in the treatment of the patient with cerebral palsy and gait improvement. An online database of Pubmed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, etc. searched to find the articles with the keywords, cerebral palsy, orthotic devices, orthosis, lower limb, and results were synthesized and narrated to explore the effectiveness of the devices on the gait pattern and quality of life of a patient with cerebral palsy. The database search was done without the barrier of dates and regions. Orthoses applied externally appear to be supported and had a diverse effect on gait depending on the type of orthosis. However, the relationship between gait pattern and AFOs and ankle properties is yet to be established. Additional research in this area is needed to complement the development of passive and active AFOs to provide larger improvements in walking capabilities.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisbeth Valla ◽  
Sølvi Helseth ◽  
Milada Cvancarova Småstuen ◽  
Nina Misvær ◽  
Randi Andenæs

Abstract Background: Having good Quality of Life (QoL) is essential, particularly for women after childbirth. However, little is known about the factors associated with maternal QoL after giving birth. We aimed to investigate the relationship between characteristics of the mother (socio-demographic variables), selected symptoms (depression and joy/anger), health perception (perception of birth) and possible characteristics of the environment (infant temperament, colic, sleep, parental relationship), with mothers’ overall quality of life when the child is six months of age.Methods: This study is based on the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), conducted at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health from June 1999 to December 2008, which included a total of 86,724 children. Maternal QoL was assessed by the Satisfaction With Life Scale. Joy and anger were measured using the Differential Emotional Scale, mothers’ mental health was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and satisfaction with relationship was measured using the Relationship Satisfaction Scale. Child temperament was measured using the Infant Characteristics Questionnaire and colic, sleep duration and feelings related to childbirth were assessed by mothers’ reports. The associations between life satisfaction and selected variables were analysed using stepwise multiple linear regression models.Results: Maternal feelings of joy of having a baby (B=0.35, CI [0.79 to 0.83]), high relationship satisfaction (B= 0.02, CI [0.28 to 0.60]), as well as having a baby with normal sleep (B=0.32, CI [0.21 to 0.22]), are factors associated with higher maternal overall QoL. Postnatal depression was negatively associated with mothers’ QoL, and infant colic or child’s temperament (fussiness) showed no such association with mothers’ QoL.Conclusions: Health professionals and clinicians should focus on these issues when they develop health interventions or provide counselling to new mothers and their families.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Pahlevan Sharif ◽  
Navaz Naghavi ◽  
Fon Sim Ong ◽  
Hamid Sharif Nia ◽  
Hassam Waheed

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between consumers' satisfaction with their health insurance and quality of life (QoL), the mediating role of perceived financial burden in this relationship, as well as the moderating effect of external locus of control (LoC) on the relationship between perceived financial burden and QoL among cancer patients.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional design was employed in order to collect quantitative data by means of a self-administrated questionnaire. Participants consisted of 387 conveniently selected consumers diagnosed with cancer in Iran. Furthermore, the questionnaire was translated into Persian using a forward–backward method. The model was tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe results indicate that the more satisfied patients are with their health insurance, the higher QoL they experience, and this relationship is explained through reducing perceived financial burden in terms of direct and indirect costs of the disease. Although external LoC belief is negatively related to QoL, it buffers the negative association between financial burden and QoL.Practical implicationsReducing the disparity between consumers' expectation and perception of the comprehensiveness of health insurance policies may relieve consumers' anxiety stemming from financial worries.Originality/valueThis paper fills a gap in the literature where consumers' perception about quality of insurance and its relationship with their QoL has received little attention so far.


2021 ◽  
pp. 194173812110148
Author(s):  
Andrew Watson ◽  
Timothy McGuine ◽  
Pamela Lang ◽  
Eric Post ◽  
Kevin Biese ◽  
...  

Background: Although sport specialization may be associated with stress and burnout among youth athletes, the relationship with quality of life (QOL) remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between sport specialization, sleep, and QOL in female youth athletes. Hypothesis: Higher levels of specialization are associated with increased daytime sleepiness and worse QOL. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: Female high school volleyball players completed preseason surveys to determine sport specialization (low, moderate, high), injury history, QOL, sleep duration, and daytime sleepiness. QOL and sleep variables were compared across specialization groups. Multivariable linear regression models were developed to evaluate the associations between sleepiness, QOL, specialization, grade in school, and injury history. Results: Of 1482 participants, 591 (40%), 436 (29%), and 455 (31%) were categorized as low, moderate, and high specialization, respectively. Highly specialized athletes demonstrated worse QOL (median 91.3 [interquartile range 86-96]) than low (92.4 [88-97], P = 0.05) and moderate (93.5 [88-99], P = 0.05) specialization groups and greater daytime sleepiness (11 [7-15]) than low (10 [6-14], P < 0.001) and moderate (10 [6-14], P < 0.001) specialization groups. In the multivariable model, QOL was negatively associated with prior injury occurrence (β = −1.1 ± 0.5, P = 0.02), but not grade in school (β = −0.08 ± 0.2, P = 0.71) or specialization (moderate: β = 0.08 ± 0.5, P = 0.88; high: β = −0.70 ± 0.5, P = 0.18). Daytime sleepiness increased with high specialization (β = 1.12 ± 0.3, P < 0.001) and grade (β = 0.76 ± 0.1, P < 0.001), but not prior injury (β = 0.51 ±0.3, P = 0.10). Conclusion: Highly specialized female volleyball athletes demonstrate decreased QOL, perhaps because of higher rates of prior injury. Specialization is also associated with increased daytime sleepiness. Clinical Relevance: Sport participation patterns and injury may have implications for QOL in youth athletes.


Author(s):  
Xiaosheng Dong ◽  
Meng Ding ◽  
Wenxin Chen ◽  
Zongyu Liu ◽  
Xiangren Yi

Background: Quality of life (QOL) is a crucial part of evaluating health conditions IN adolescents. The purposes of this study were to (1) examine the relationship of QOL and smoking, physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) among Chinese adolescents, (2) explore the relationship between PA-ST combination and QOL of adolescents, and (3) investigate the dose-response relationship between PA-ST and QOL. Methods: This study randomly selected 12,900 adolescents (11–18 years) from 13 administrative regions in Shandong Province, China. The data gathering tools for Smoking (tobacco), PA (PAQ-A) and ST (average daily time for ST) and QOL questionnaire (child and adolescent quality of life scale) were completed among all adolescents. Statistical analysis was performed by T test, chi-square test and multiple linear regression. Results: 12,641 adolescents (aged 12–18) completed the study. In multiple linear regression models, the result demonstrated that the adolescents from rural areas, with high ST, low PA, and smoking, with older age and low socioeconomic status, showed a lower QOL score. First-time smokers under 10 years revealed the lowest QOL, and PA > 30 min five days per week have the highest QOL. In addition, boys and girls with PA > 30 min three to four days per week in high ST group obtain the higher scores (boys β = 5.951, girls β = 3.699) than low PA-low ST groups. Conclusions: Adolescents from rural areas suffer from a relatively poorer QOL. More than 30 min of PA five or more days for boys and three or four days per week for girls could decrease negative effects of ST and improve QOL.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Marlene Jensen ◽  
Sasja Jul Haakonsen ◽  
Preben Ulrich Pedersen

Background and aim: Mucositis is a well-known side effect to chemotherapy treatment after breast cancer surgery. The number of women who experience oral complication that is not classified as mucositis is less investigated as well as the impact of oral complication on the women’s quality of life. \textit{Aim:} To describe how many women with breast cancer report oral complications during their adjuvant chemotherapy with Ebirubicin, Cyclophosphamide and Taxotere or Taxol, to describe which oral complications the women report and the impact the oral complication has on women’s daily life and quality of life.Methods: A cross-sectional design was used. The women were invited to fill out a self-composed questionnaire at proximal 12 weeks after initiation of the treatment. The questionnaire had two scales to summarize information about oral complication and their impact on daily living was used. The questionnaire has been face- and content validated. Internal consistency was between 0.76 to 0.83.Results: All 101 women had experienced oral complications to some extent. A linear regression analysis has reviled that redness, coaching and changes of taste explained 74% of reported reduction in quality of life. There was a positive correlation between the sum of symptoms (number of symptoms and duration) and reported quality of life score r = .480 (p = .000).Conclusions: Oral complications was experienced by all women who were treated with CT after breast cancer surgery. Redness, coaching and changes of taste were significant contributors to reducing quality of life and need to be prevented during chemotherapy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisbeth Valla ◽  
Sølvi Helseth ◽  
Milada Cvancarova Småstuen ◽  
Nina Misvær ◽  
Randi Andenæs

Abstract Background: Having good Quality of Life (QoL) is essential, particularly for women after childbirth. However, little is known about the factors associated with maternal QoL after giving birth. We aimed to investigate the relationship between characteristics of the mother (socio-demographic variables), selected symptoms (depression and joy/anger), health perception (perception of birth) and possible characteristics of the environment (infant temperament, colic, sleep, parental relationship), with mothers’ overall quality of life when the child is six months of age.Methods: This study is based on the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa), conducted at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health from June 1999 to December 2008, which included a total of 86,724 children. Maternal QoL was assessed by the Satisfaction With Life Scale. Joy and anger were measured using the Differential Emotional Scale, mothers’ mental health was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and satisfaction with relationship was measured using the Relationship Satisfaction Scale. Child temperament was measured using the Infant Characteristics Questionnaire and colic, sleep duration and feelings related to childbirth were assessed by mothers’ reports. The associations between life satisfaction and selected variables were analysed using stepwise multiple linear regression models.Results: Maternal feelings of joy of having a baby (B=0.35, CI [0.79 to 0.83]), high relationship satisfaction (B= 0.02, CI [0.28 to 0.60]), as well as having a baby with normal sleep (B=0.32, CI [0.21 to 0.22]), are factors associated with higher maternal overall QoL. Postnatal depression was negatively associated with mothers’ QoL, and infant colic or child’s temperament (fussiness) showed no such association with mothers’ QoL.Conclusions: Health professionals and clinicians should focus on these issues when they develop health interventions or provide counselling to new mothers and their families.


2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinxuan Zhou ◽  
Jiajia Dong ◽  
Qiang Guo ◽  
Mingyun Li ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
...  

Background: COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus infectious disease associated with the severe acute respiratory syndrome. More and more patients are being cured due to the development of clinical guidelines for COVID-19 pneumonia diagnosis, treatment, and vaccines. However, the long-term impact of COVID-19 on patients after recovery is unclear. Currently available reports have shown that patients recovered from COVID-19 continue to experience health problems in respiratory and other organ systems. Oral problem is one of the important complications which has serious impacts on the rehabilitation and future quality of life, such as ageusia and macroglossia, but the oral complication is often being neglected.Aim of Review: From the perspective of stomatology, we summarized and elaborated in detail the types, pathogenesis of oral complications from COVID-19 patients after rehabilitation, and the reported prevention or treatment recommendations which may improve the COVID-19 patients associated oral diseases.Key Scientific Concepts of Review: 1) To understand the common oral complications and the mechanisms of the development of oral complications after the COVID-19 recovery; 2) To summary the practical strategies to prevent the oral complications and construct the rehabilitation plans for patients with oral complications.


2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Meessen ◽  
Verena Mainz ◽  
Siegfried Gauggel ◽  
Eftychia Volz-Sidiropoulou ◽  
Stefan Sütterlin ◽  
...  

Abstract. Recently, Garfinkel and Critchley (2013) proposed to distinguish between three facets of interoception: interoceptive sensibility, interoceptive accuracy, and interoceptive awareness. This pilot study investigated how these facets interrelate to each other and whether interoceptive awareness is related to the metacognitive awareness of memory performance. A sample of 24 healthy students completed a heartbeat perception task (HPT) and a memory task. Judgments of confidence were requested for each task. Participants filled in questionnaires assessing interoceptive sensibility, depression, anxiety, and socio-demographic characteristics. The three facets of interoception were found to be uncorrelated and interoceptive awareness was not related to metacognitive awareness of memory performance. Whereas memory performance was significantly related to metamemory awareness, interoceptive accuracy (HPT) and interoceptive awareness were not correlated. Results suggest that future research on interoception should assess all facets of interoception in order to capture the multifaceted quality of the construct.


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