Faculty
Schulich Medicine and Dentistry
Supervisor Name
Julie Theurer
Keywords
Oral Cavity Cancer, Quality of Life, ICF, Scoping Review
Description
Introduction: Patients treated for oral cavity cancer (OCC) often face significantly reduced functioning and quality of life (QOL). However, our understanding of these negative sequalae, and the factors that contribute to them is constrained by inconsistent reporting, the use of varied outcome measures, and lack of long-term data. The objective of this review was to synthesize existing literature on functional outcomes and associated variables in patients who were treated for OCC using the international Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a framework.
Methods: Following the methodology proposed by Arksey and O’Malley (2005), comprehensive searches were conducted on MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and CINAHL databases, focusing on quantitative studies on tongue and floor of mouth OCC patients, written in English.
Results: Of the 677 records identified, 144 studies met the inclusion criteria. Variables that were investigated in association to functional outcomes included reconstruction approach (n=98), surgical approach (n=52), adjuvant therapy (n=23), T-stage (n=11), age (n=11), speech function (n=7), and sex (n=6). Evaluations of personal factors and health conditions mainly occurred pre-treatment, while body functions and structures, and activities and participation were primarily assessed short-term (<1 >year) post-treatment. Environmental factors and QOL were rarely explored.
Conclusions: Varied assessment tools, and inconsistent follow-up times and reporting methods reflect the complexities associated with research in OCC. Research is needed to address gaps related to long-term functional outcomes, impact on life participation, and the influence of personal and environmental factors beyond sex and age, recognizing the growing importance of social determinants of health.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Dr. Julie Theurer, Dr. Nedjelko Jovanovic, the Western USRI Program, and the Faculty of Health Sciences for their support.
Document Type
Poster
Included in
Exploration of Functionally Relevant Predictors and Outcomes in Oral Cavity Cancer: A Scoping Review Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
Introduction: Patients treated for oral cavity cancer (OCC) often face significantly reduced functioning and quality of life (QOL). However, our understanding of these negative sequalae, and the factors that contribute to them is constrained by inconsistent reporting, the use of varied outcome measures, and lack of long-term data. The objective of this review was to synthesize existing literature on functional outcomes and associated variables in patients who were treated for OCC using the international Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a framework.
Methods: Following the methodology proposed by Arksey and O’Malley (2005), comprehensive searches were conducted on MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and CINAHL databases, focusing on quantitative studies on tongue and floor of mouth OCC patients, written in English.
Results: Of the 677 records identified, 144 studies met the inclusion criteria. Variables that were investigated in association to functional outcomes included reconstruction approach (n=98), surgical approach (n=52), adjuvant therapy (n=23), T-stage (n=11), age (n=11), speech function (n=7), and sex (n=6). Evaluations of personal factors and health conditions mainly occurred pre-treatment, while body functions and structures, and activities and participation were primarily assessed short-term (<1>year) post-treatment. Environmental factors and QOL were rarely explored.
Conclusions: Varied assessment tools, and inconsistent follow-up times and reporting methods reflect the complexities associated with research in OCC. Research is needed to address gaps related to long-term functional outcomes, impact on life participation, and the influence of personal and environmental factors beyond sex and age, recognizing the growing importance of social determinants of health.