Objective: The management of oral cancer (OC), particularly in developing countries, presents significant challenges. This study aimed to identify the challenges faced by patients with OC in resource-limited settings and evaluate their impact on the Oral Health-Related QOL (OHRQoL). Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among Congolese participants using clinical data and an Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire. Predictor variables included treatment methods and clinical characteristics. Main outcome variables included the challenges (delayed treatment, lack of information, access to health care, and perception of OC) and QOL. The χ 2 tests and analysis of variance were used to compare the study groups, with a significance level set at P 60%). Over 60% of OC patients reported delayed treatment, 78% had not disclosed their diagnosis, and 72% were uninformed about their disease. Among the few (22%) who were informed, 89% refused treatment. The mean OHIP-14 total score was significantly higher in OC patients (with therapy: 19.18±6.05; without therapy: 25.67±5.56) than in healthy controls (11.76±4.58; P <0.005). Delayed or refusal of treatment, lack of information, and negative perceptions of OC were all significantly associated with worse OHRQoL. Conclusion: Multiple factors contribute to the challenges in managing OC in resource-limited settings. Patients who had delayed or refused treatment, lacked information, and had a negative perception of OC exhibited significantly worse OHRQoL than healthy participants.
Bushabu et al. (Fri,) studied this question.