Secondary oral squamous cell carcinoma following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

We report the cases of 10 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) post-haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Median latency from HSCT to oral SCC diagnosis was 10 years (range: 4-17 years), with 90% (9/10) reporting a history of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) and 40% (4/10) exhibiting active severe manifestations of oral GvHD. Clinical findings at diagnosis included induration, ulceration, tenderness, bleeding, hyperkeratosis, speckling and lymphadenopathy. The tongue and buccal mucosa were the most common sites affected. The disease stage at presentation ranged from T1N0M0 to T4N2M0. Management included surgical resection in 90% (9/10) of patients with or without chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The median follow-up for the cohort was 1 year, with a 50% (5/10) mortality rate. SCC-specific mortality was 30% (3/10). Our data highlight the importance of regular, active oral and cutaneous surveillance of patients post-HSCT in specialized dermatology clinics, irrespective of GvHD severity and length of iatrogenic immunosuppression.

Validity and responsiveness of pain rating scales in patients with chronic oral mucosal diseases.

OBJECTIVES: To validate the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for measuring pain intensity in chronic oral mucosal diseases. METHODS: Secondary analyses of data including the VAS, NRS, demographic, clinical and quality-of-life outcomes at baseline and 4-month follow-up were retrieved from a clinical study of chronic oral mucosal diseases. Construct and criterion validity and responsiveness of the VAS and NRS were assessed through testing hypotheses based upon strength of Spearman's correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Data of 500 and 290 patients with chronic oral mucosal diseases were used for the assessment of validity and responsiveness, respectively. Moderate-to-high correlations between both pain scores and scores of clinical and quality-of-life outcomes were observed, supporting construct validity of the VAS and NRS. Their criterion validity was confirmed by significantly strong association between scores of both scales. Responsiveness of both scales was adequate based on moderate association between their change scores and global rating of change scale. CONCLUSION: The present results provide evidence supporting validity and responsiveness of the VAS and NRS for pain intensity assessment in patients with chronic oral mucosal diseases. Future research examining other pain intensity domains and standardizing composite scores for pain intensity in this population is required.

A proof of concept pilot trial of probiotics in symptomatic oral lichen planus (CABRIO).

OBJECTIVE: To preliminary evaluate the clinical effects of probiotics in individuals with symptomatic oral lichen planus and the possible mechanisms of action. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A group of 30 individuals with symptomatic oral lichen planus were recruited in a randomised double-blind parallel group controlled (1:1) proof-of-concept pilot trial of probiotic VSL#3 vs placebo. Efficacy outcomes included changes in pain numeric rating scale, oral disease severity score and the chronic oral mucosal disease questionnaire. Adverse effects, home diary and withdrawals were assessed as feasibility outcomes. Mechanistic outcomes included changes in salivary and serum levels of CXCL10 and IFN-γ and in oral microbial composition. RESULTS: The probiotic VSL#3 was safe and well tolerated. We observed no statistically significant change in pain, disease activity, quality of life, serum/salivary CXCL10 or oral microbial composition with respect to placebo. Salivary IFN-γ levels demonstrate a trend for a reduced level in the active group (p = 0.082) after 30 days of probiotic consumption. CONCLUSIONS: The present proof-of-concept study provides some weak not convincing indication of biological and clinical effects of probiotic VSL#3 in individuals with painful oral lichen planus. Further research in this field is needed, with the current study providing useful information to the design of future clinical trials.

The patient acceptable symptom state in oral lichen planus: identification of cut-off threshold scores in measures of pain and quality of life.

OBJECTIVES: To establish thresholds of pain and quality of life scores corresponding to patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) and to assess demographic and clinical factors associated with achieving the PASS. METHODS: Prospective data from baseline and 4-month follow-up including Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and 15-item and 26-item Chronic Oral Mucosal Disease Questionnaire (COMDQ-15; COMDQ-26) were collected from 281 patients with OLP. An anchoring approach based upon the patient's opinion on acceptability of OLP status was applied. Associated factors for achieving the PASS were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: About two-thirds (68.7%) of participants rated their OLP status as acceptable. Cut-off thresholds for PASS were as follows: ≤ 28 mm for VAS, ≤ 3 for NRS, ≤ 18 for total OHIP-14, ≤ 26 for total COMDQ-15 and ≤ 48 for total COMDQ-26. Based upon results of multivariate logistic analysis, factors associated with being in PASS were lower pain intensity, lower depressive symptoms and lower disease activity of OLP. CONCLUSION: The present study established PASS cut-off thresholds as a tool facilitating interpretation of pain and quality of life outcomes relevant to individuals with OLP. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Identified PASS estimates could be utilised as clinically important endpoints in clinical practice of OLP as well as eligibility criteria for recruiting participants in clinical trials assessing effectiveness of symptomatic intervention of OLP.

Development and validation of a short version of Chronic Oral Mucosal Disease Questionnaire (COMDQ-15).

BACKGROUND: The adoption of the Chronic Oral Mucosal Disease Questionnaire (COMDQ) into clinical practice has been low, despite its rigorous development process. A potential limitation of the COMDQ is the high response burden to patients. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to develop and validate a short version of the 26-item COMDQ. METHODS: The COMDQ data of 520 patients with chronic oral mucosal diseases were randomly divided into two subsamples. Descriptive item analysis and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were performed using data from the first subsample for item reduction and development of the shortened COMDQ. The resulting short version was then validated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the other subsample. Internal consistency reliability of the short-form COMDQ was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Criterion validity of this new scale was examined against its original version. RESULTS: Based upon item analysis, 11 items were dropped. EFA results on the remaining 15 items extracted four factors consistent with the original COMDQ, and CFA results displayed acceptable goodness-of-fit indices of this factor structure on different sample. The COMDQ-15 was then created. Cronbach's alpha of four subscale scores ranged from 0.7 to 0.91, indicating good internal consistency reliability of the COMDQ-15. Correlations between total and subscale scores of the COMDQ-15 and its parent scale were high, supporting good criterion validity of this shortened scale. CONCLUSION: The COMDQ-15 is a brief, valid and reliable instrument that can give an overview of the patient's quality of life related to their chronic oral mucosal conditions.

Validation of the HADS and PSS-10 and a cross-sectional study of psychological status in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

OBJECTIVES: To validate the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) for use in clinical studies of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and to provide cross-sectional assessment of anxiety, depressive, and distress symptoms and perceived stress in patients with RAS. METHODS: The validity and reliability of the HADS and PSS-10 were evaluated in 120 individuals with RAS through confirmatory factor analysis and calculation of Cronbach's alpha and omega coefficients. The prevalence of comorbid anxiety, depression, distress, and moderate-to-high perceived stress, and their association with demographics and clinical factors were assessed through cutoff scores of the HADS and PSS-10 and bivariate analyses, respectively. RESULTS: A bi-factor model, with all items loading onto general factor with two group factors, provides the best fit to the HADS and PSS-10 data of this RAS cohort. While omega values suggested adequate reliability of total score of both scales, relatively low ranges of coefficient omega hierarchical limit utility of their subscale scores. The prevalence of anxiety, depression, distress, and moderate-to-high perceived stress was 42.5%, 18.33%, 28.33%, and 71.67%, respectively. Ethnicity, alcohol consumption, disease comorbidities, clinical type of RAS, ulcer size, pain, and RAS disease activity were found to be associated with negative psychological symptoms. CONCLUSION: The HADS and PSS-10 are valid and reliable as general scales of psychological distress and stress in patients with RAS. Significant mental burden among RAS patients makes the use of these validated instruments a sensible and prudent practice for psychological assessment of this patient group.

Validation of the HADS and PSS-10 and psychological status in patients with oral lichen planus.

OBJECTIVES: To validate the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) for use in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) and to provide cross-sectional analysis of anxiety, depressive and distress symptoms in patients with OLP. METHODS: Validity and reliability of both instruments were assessed in 260 participants with OLP in one tertiary oral medicine centre through confirmatory factor analysis and calculation of reliability coefficients. Prevalence, clinical and demographic predictors of the presence of psychological symptoms in OLP were calculated and identified using multivariated logistic regression. RESULTS: Factor analysis results demonstrated that a bifactor model described the underlying structure of both scales better than other models. Values of omega indicated adequate reliability of total HADS and PSS-10 score while low coefficient omega hierarchical values limit clinical applicability of their subscale scores. The prevalence of anxiety, depressive and distress symptoms in OLP was 39.23%, 20.77% and 27.69%, respectively. Pain intensity, disease comorbidities, age, smoking and alcohol consumption were found to be independent predictors of the presence of psychological symptoms in OLP. CONCLUSION: The HADS and PSS-10 are appropriate to use as general measures of psychological distress and perceived stress in patients with OLP.

Meaningful improvement thresholds in measures of pain and quality of life in oral lichen planus.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the responsiveness of measures of pain and oral health-related quality of life (OH-QoL) in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) and to determine thresholds for minimal important change (MIC) and minimal important difference (MID) for use in this patient population. METHODS: Data from baseline and 4-month follow-up including Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), 15-item and 26-item Chronic Oral Mucosal Disease Questionnaire (COMDQ-15; COMDQ-26) were collected from 157 patients with OLP. Responsiveness was assessed by testing hypotheses and calculating the area under the curve. MIC and MID were established based on triangulation of distribution-based and anchor-based estimates. RESULTS: The results supported adequate responsiveness of VAS, NRS, COMDQ-15 and COMDQ-26 for use in OLP, while the OHIP-14 demonstrated relatively low sensitivity to detect improvement in the OLP status. Recommended meaningful improvement thresholds were as follows: VAS (MIC 16 mm; MID 18 mm), NRS (MIC/MID 2 points), OHIP-14 (MIC/MID 5 points), COMDQ-15 (MIC 5 points; MID 6 points) and COMDQ-26 (MIC/MID 9 points). CONCLUSION: This study provides some evidence of responsiveness as well as establishing meaningful improvement thresholds in scores of pain and OH-QoL measures in OLP.

Orofacial pain: a guide for the headache physician.

Orofacial pain represents a significant burden in terms of morbidity and health service utilization. It includes very common disorders such as toothache and temporomandibular disorders, as well as rare orofacial pain syndromes. Many orofacial pain conditions have overlapping presentations, and diagnostic uncertainty is frequently encountered in clinical practice. This review provides a clinically orientated overview of common and uncommon orofacial pain presentations and diagnoses, with an emphasis on conditions that may be unfamiliar to the headache physician. A holistic approach to orofacial pain management is important, and the social, cultural, psychological and cognitive context of each patient needs to be considered in the process of diagnostic formulation, as well as in the development of a pain management plan according to the biopsychosocial model. Recognition of psychological comorbidities will assist in diagnosis and management planning.

Health-related quality of life and its associated predictors in patients with oral lichen planus: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate levels of quality of life (QoL) and determine associated predictors in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 300 patients with OLP at one tertiary Oral Medicine clinic in the UK were recruited in a cross-sectional study from January 2018 to July 2019. The 15-item Chronic Oral Mucosal Disease Questionnaire (COMDQ-15) and 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) were used to assess the level of QoL related to OLP. A number of potential determinants were considered, including patient demographics, treatment, the severity of oral symptoms, the clinical activity of the disease, and the patient psychological status, which were measured using the pain-Numerical Rating Scale, the Oral Disease Severity Score, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. Multivariate linear regression was employed to identify independent determinants associated with overall and aspects of QoL. RESULTS: On multivariate analyses, after adjusting for confounding variables, the QoL levels in patients with OLP were significantly associated with levels of oral pain, anxiety, stress and use of topical corticosteroids. The COMDQ-15 instrument performed better than OHIP-14 at capturing the association between QoL and pain and disease activity in patients with OLP. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should expect reduced QoL in OLP patients with high pain levels, high anxiety levels, high perceived stress and use of topical corticosteroids. The COMDQ-15 is best suited to measure QoL in this population.

Multiple oral squamous cell carcinomas associated with autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy.

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, hypoparathyroidism, and adrenal insufficiency. Chronic oral candidiasis is frequently the first manifestation of the condition. There is an increased incidence of oral squamous cell carcinomas at an early age in this population, and it is possible that chronic oral candidal infection has a role in oral carcinogenesis in patients with APECED. We present a case of multiple oral squamous cell carcinomas in a 35-year-old woman with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis as a component of APECED. Our patient has had 3 confirmed oral squamous cell carcinomas to date, which have been managed with laser resection and ablation. She remains on systemic antifungal therapy and is under regular surveillance in a multidisciplinary head and neck clinic.