Oral discomfort in palliative care: results of an exploratory study

Terminally ill patients are vulnerable to oral problems (Gillam and Gillam, 2006), yet little is known about this issue from the perspective of palliative care patients. While a healthy mouth is necessary to ensure patient comfort, maintain adequate nutrition and provide protection from infection, people with a progressive terminal illness may be frequently exposed to compromising factors (such as ‘drying’ medications, reduced fluid intake, decreased mobility, weakness and fatigue, as well as reduced ability to self-care), which can lead to the onset of oral problems (Miller and Kearney, 2001). Indeed, research has ranked xerostomia (dry mouth) in patients with advanced malignancy as the third most distressing symptom (Sweeney and Bagg, 2000; Davies et al. 2001). Similarly, Rydholm and Strang (2002), Lee et al (2001) and Wiseman (2000) suggest the presence of oral problems can have the potential to profoundly affect the quality of life of terminally ill patients and precipitate further complications such as pain, anorexia, fungal and viral infections, poor denture stability and compromised speaking ability.