Oral health related quality of life of head and neck cancer patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The oral health related quality of life of head and neck cancer patients: a qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews and focus groups
IRAS ID
352885
Contact name
Jaymit Patel
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Head of Research Regulatory Compliance
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Head and neck cancer (HNC) has many potential effects on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). These are attributable to the cancer's effects, as well as the surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy used to treat it. Limited research investigates OHRQoL in this group.
A scoping review has identified no consensus on the optimal OHRQoL measurement tool. There is uncertainty regarding the potential health impacts affecting head and neck cancer patients, and thus the relevant items that should be included in OHRQoL measurement tools.
We plan to undertake qualitative research involving: 1) interviews to explore the potential oral health impacts of head and neck cancer, and 2) focus groups to assess the tools designed to measure these impacts. This information will be used to evaluate whether any measurement tool is appropriate for use in this cohort.
We will interview participants who have been treated for head and neck cancer in the previous 1-3 years, and who have completed subsequent oral rehabilitation, to explore their oral health experiences whilst mapping this information to a theoretical framework of oral health impacts. Focus groups will explore the wording of these questionnaires to gain insights into their acceptability, appropriateness, relevance and fairness.
Engagement with a PPIE group within the Univerisity of Leeds has been undertaken. This included a discussion regarding the study methods as well as all of the relevant study materials (e.g. topic guide and consent form).
Patients will be approached for inclusion in the study via oral rehabilitation clinics at the Leeds Dental Institute Oncology Rehabilitation service. Interviews will be undertaken either via Microsoft Teams or using meeting rooms at the University of Leeds (UoL) based on patient preference.
All data will be recorded on University of Leeds (UoL) secure storage and comply with UoL data security and information governance principles. A data management plan will be followed.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EE/0149
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion