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Post-Transplant Events

Incidence and severity of oral mucositis in patients undergoing haematopoietic SCT—results of a multicentre study

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 46, pages 727–732 (2011)Cite this article

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Abstract

Oral mucositis (OM) is a common side effect experienced during haematopoietic SCT (HSCT), and it can have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients. A descriptive nurse-led study was undertaken in 19-member centres of the Italian national transplant group (GITMO) evaluating incidence, severity and duration of OM in patients undergoing HSCT. Data from 1841 patients between 2002 and 2006 was analyzed. Initial medical history and oral cavity assessment was performed. Assessment was repeated on the day of transplant, then daily, using the WHO (World Health Organisation) oral toxicity scale. A total of 71% of the patients evaluated developed mucositis and 21.6% developed severe mucositis. Duration of OM in most cases lasted for 10–14 days and resolved along with marrow reconstitution. Oral mucostitis is a frequent side effect in patients undergoing HSCT. The onset of severe mucositis seems to be related to the conditioning regimen used. This database provides a descriptive overview of the incidence and severity of mucositis and has encouraged participating centres to adopt routine evaluation and measurement of the oral cavity. The assessment tools are still used in some centres, providing a basis for further collaborative research projects.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all those who participated in the study (for data collection and the revision of this article). We would also like to thank EM Mollo Bsc for her precious help with data elaboration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatrics, Experimental Paediatrics, Doctoral School in Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

    L Vagliano

  2. Department of Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, ASO OIRM- S.ANNA, Turin, Italy

    C Feraut & G Gobetto

  3. CSU of Haematology, Ospedali Riuniti, Bergamo, Italy

    A Trunfio

  4. Department of Haematology, HSCT Unit, Hospital ‘Careggi’, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    A Errico & V Campani

  5. Haematology Department, Bolzano Hospital, Bolzano, Italy

    G Costazza

  6. Department of Haematology, Institute of Internal Medicine, Hospital ‘Gemelli’, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    A Mega

  7. Department of Oncology, Haematology, Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy

    V Matozzo

  8. Division of Haematology and Tranplantation, Department of Clinic Medicine and Immunologic Science, AO Universitaria Senese Policlinico le Scotte, Siena, Italy

    M Berni

  9. Department of Haematology and Medical Oncology ‘Seragnoli’, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    F Alberani

  10. Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, IRCCS Foundation ‘Policlinico Mangiagalli and Regina Elena’, Milano, Italy

    M M Banfi

  11. Adult Haematology, Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Pisana, Pisa, Italy

    L Martinelli

  12. Clinical Paediatric Onco-haematology, Childhood Leukaemia Center, University of Padua, Padua, Italy

    S Munaron

  13. Haemato-oncology Division, European Institute of Oncology, Milano, Italy

    L Orlando

  14. Medical Oncology, Aviano, Italy

    L Lubiato

  15. Bone Marrow Tranplantation Centre, S.G. Battista Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

    S Leanza

  16. IRCCS Burlo Garofalo, Trieste, Italy

    R Guerrato

  17. Bone Marrow Transplant Unit Reggio Calabria, A.O. Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli, Reggio Calabria, Italy

    A Rossetti

  18. Clinical Division of Haematology with BMT, Ferrarotto-Santo Bambino, Ospedale Ferrarotto Alessi, Vittorio Emanuele University Hospital, Catania, Italy

    M Messina

  19. Clinic of Haematology, Torrette New Hospital, Ancona, Italy

    L Barzetti

  20. Haematology Division II, S. Martino Hospital, Genova, Italy

    G Satta

  21. Department of Public Health and Microbiology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

    V Dimonte

Authors
  1. L Vagliano
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  2. C Feraut
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  3. G Gobetto
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  4. A Trunfio
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  5. A Errico
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  6. V Campani
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  7. G Costazza
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  8. A Mega
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  9. V Matozzo
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  10. M Berni
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  11. F Alberani
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  12. M M Banfi
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  13. L Martinelli
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  14. S Munaron
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  15. L Orlando
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  16. L Lubiato
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  17. S Leanza
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  18. R Guerrato
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  19. A Rossetti
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  20. M Messina
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  21. L Barzetti
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  22. G Satta
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  23. V Dimonte
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to L Vagliano.

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Vagliano, L., Feraut, C., Gobetto, G. et al. Incidence and severity of oral mucositis in patients undergoing haematopoietic SCT—results of a multicentre study. Bone Marrow Transplant 46, 727–732 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/bmt.2010.184

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bmt.2010.184

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