IADR Abstract Archives
Effectiveness of Three Oral Moisturizers in Palliative Care Patients
Objectives: A majority of patients in palliative care have problems with dry mouth caused by medication or as a direct result of the mortal condition. Dry mouth will cause a variety of problems that commonly affect the disease negatively and contribute to reduced quality of life in the patient`s last stage of life. This RCT study aimed at comparing the effectiveness of three different oral moisturizers: 17% watery solution of Glycerol, Aequasyal and a newly developed product, Salient.
Methods: The study was designed as an RCT with a crossover design. All patients were treated with all three products. Thirty cognitively functioning palliative care patients with xerostomia were recruited from palliative care units in Bergen.
Results: All products showed significant improved relief from xerostomia (p<0.001), discomfort/pain (p<0.001) and speech-problems (p<0.001) right after intervention. Two hours after intervention the effect of Glycerol on xerostomia, discomfort/pain and speech-problems had dropped significantly compared with the other two products and had in fact reverted to the baseline levels (p<0.073). In contrast, the effects of Aequasyal and Salient were maintained after the same period (both p<0.001). A majority of the respondents preferred Glycerol (63%), while 20% preferred Salient and 10% preferred Aequasyal (p<0.001).
Conclusions: Within the defined limitations of this study, none of the three tested products were found to be clinically completely adequate. The 17% concentration of Glycerol had the most positive effect right after application, but little or no effect after 2 hours. Aequasyal and Salient had a long-lasting effect, but were still not preferred by the patients. This may be due to the disagreeable taste of the former and the unpleasant, sticky consistency of the latter. There is a need for better products and further research, in order to improve oral care for palliative patients.
Methods: The study was designed as an RCT with a crossover design. All patients were treated with all three products. Thirty cognitively functioning palliative care patients with xerostomia were recruited from palliative care units in Bergen.
Results: All products showed significant improved relief from xerostomia (p<0.001), discomfort/pain (p<0.001) and speech-problems (p<0.001) right after intervention. Two hours after intervention the effect of Glycerol on xerostomia, discomfort/pain and speech-problems had dropped significantly compared with the other two products and had in fact reverted to the baseline levels (p<0.073). In contrast, the effects of Aequasyal and Salient were maintained after the same period (both p<0.001). A majority of the respondents preferred Glycerol (63%), while 20% preferred Salient and 10% preferred Aequasyal (p<0.001).
Conclusions: Within the defined limitations of this study, none of the three tested products were found to be clinically completely adequate. The 17% concentration of Glycerol had the most positive effect right after application, but little or no effect after 2 hours. Aequasyal and Salient had a long-lasting effect, but were still not preferred by the patients. This may be due to the disagreeable taste of the former and the unpleasant, sticky consistency of the latter. There is a need for better products and further research, in order to improve oral care for palliative patients.