Self-perception of periodontal condition in cancer patients: association with stress and anxiety levels

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the self-perception of periodontal condition and itsassociation with perceived stress and dental anxiety in patients undergoing cancer treatment.Methods: 60 patients undergoing cancer treatment at the University Hospital were interviewed, using questionnaires containing multiple-choice questions. Variables related to medical and sociodemographic data, self-perception of oral health and periodontal condition, levels of perceived stress, and dental anxiety obtained while patients were receiving treatment were collected. Data were tabulated, and adjusted Poisson regression with robust variance was used to assess the prevalence ratio (PR) and its 95% confidence interval. Results: Most of the sample showed a positive perception of periodontal condition and satisfaction with oral health. Adjusted analysis showed that males (PR: 1.84; p=0.017) and non-white (PR: 2.24; p=0.001) individuals were significantly associated with higher history of self-reported periodontal disease. Likewise, marital status (PR: 1.27; p=0.044) and perceived stress (PR: 2.07; p=0.010) were significantly associated with the dentist’s diagnosis of periodontal disease and history of periodontal disease, respectively. Patients undergoing other antineoplastic therapies had a 2.72-fold higher PR of self-perceived periodontal disease than those who received chemotherapy alone (p=0.025). Conclusions: Patients undergoing cancer treatment report positive self-perception of periodontal condition. However, levels of stress were associated with a self-reported history of periodontal disease.