Abstract | INTRODUCTION: MATERIALS AND METHODS: A xerostomia questionnaire consisting of 3 parts ( xerostomia symptom score, quality of life (QoL) survey and visual analogue scale (VAS)) was completed by 34 patients suffering from radiation-induced xerostomia, before and after 4 weeks of treatment with the BioXtra moisturizing gel, toothpaste and mouthwash. RESULTS: The BioXtra products significantly diminished the most common symptoms of xerostomia. Mean VAS score at the start of treatment was 59.8. After treatment, this decreased to 36.4 (p < 0.001). Twenty-six patients (77%) responded to treatment, 11 of these patients (32%) reported a major improvement. Quality of life significantly improved under treatment: mean QoL score at the start was 59.4; this increased to 70.5 (p < 0.001). None of the 34 patients reported any adverse effects and all but 1 patient found the BX dry mouth care system easy to use. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the BioXtra dry mouth care system is effective in reducing the symptoms of radiation-induced xerostomia and improving the quality of life of xerostomia patients, even if a proportion of the benefit is due to a placebo effect. However, further research is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of BioXtra on oral health.
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Authors | Piet Dirix, Sandra Nuyts, Vincent Vander Poorten, Pierre Delaere, Walter Van den Bogaert |
Journal | Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
(Support Care Cancer)
Vol. 15
Issue 12
Pg. 1429-36
(Dec 2007)
ISSN: 0941-4355 [Print] Germany |
PMID | 17235501
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- BioXtra
- Complex Mixtures
- Proteins
- Lactoperoxidase
- Muramidase
- Lactoferrin
- Xylitol
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Topics |
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Complex Mixtures
- Female
- Head and Neck Neoplasms
- Health Surveys
- Humans
- Lactoferrin
- Lactoperoxidase
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Muramidase
- Pain Measurement
- Proteins
- Psychological Tests
- Psychometrics
- Quality of Life
- Radiation Injuries
(etiology)
- Radiation Oncology
- Radiotherapy
(adverse effects)
- Radiotherapy Dosage
- Risk Factors
- Saliva
(radiation effects)
- Salivation
(radiation effects)
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Xerostomia
(etiology)
- Xylitol
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