IADR Abstract Archives
Periodontitis Predisposes to Osteoradionecrosis in Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Objectives: Jaw osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a late complication of head and neck cancer radiotherapy that often leads to poor patient outcomes. Several factors have been associated with jaw ORN including dental and overall health status of the patient. Periodontitis in particular has been implicated as a risk factor for jaw ORN. Identifying and managing periodontal disease can potentially play an important role in the prevention of jaw ORN. The objective of this study is to determine whether pre-existing periodontal disease increases the risk of jaw ORN post-radiotherapy for head and neck cancers.
Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature by searching PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Review, and Ovid Medline using the following key words: “head and neck cancer and periodontal disease and osteoradionecrosis,” “head and neck cancer and periodontal disease and jaw osteoradionecrosis,” “head and neck cancer and periodontal disease and maxilla osteoradionecrosis,” “head and neck cancer and periodontal disease and mandible osteoradionecrosis.” Search strategy was limited to English language, but publication year was not restricted. Retrieved publications were screened by two independent reviewers following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
Results: Sixty-two publications were retrieved but only 3 satisfied eligibility criteria of periodontal probing depth ≥ 6mm and at least 1-year follow up after radiotherapy. Two studies were retrospective analysis with ORN occurrence of 55% (p =0.03) and 88% (p=0.03) while one was a prospective study with ORN occurrence of 50% (p=0.163).
Conclusions: Periodontal probing depth ≥ 6mm predisposes head and neck cancer patients to jaw ORN following radiotherapy. While this is a limited sample size, it still underscores the need for pre-radiotherapy screening and appropriate interventions to minimize development of jaw ORN.
Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature by searching PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Review, and Ovid Medline using the following key words: “head and neck cancer and periodontal disease and osteoradionecrosis,” “head and neck cancer and periodontal disease and jaw osteoradionecrosis,” “head and neck cancer and periodontal disease and maxilla osteoradionecrosis,” “head and neck cancer and periodontal disease and mandible osteoradionecrosis.” Search strategy was limited to English language, but publication year was not restricted. Retrieved publications were screened by two independent reviewers following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
Results: Sixty-two publications were retrieved but only 3 satisfied eligibility criteria of periodontal probing depth ≥ 6mm and at least 1-year follow up after radiotherapy. Two studies were retrospective analysis with ORN occurrence of 55% (p =0.03) and 88% (p=0.03) while one was a prospective study with ORN occurrence of 50% (p=0.163).
Conclusions: Periodontal probing depth ≥ 6mm predisposes head and neck cancer patients to jaw ORN following radiotherapy. While this is a limited sample size, it still underscores the need for pre-radiotherapy screening and appropriate interventions to minimize development of jaw ORN.
