Low body mass index as a risk factor of moderate to severe oral mucositis in oral cancer patients with radiotherapy

The association between body mass index (BMI) and oral mucositis in oral cancer patients receiving radiotherapy is unclear. This study examined whether low BMI could be a risk factor for oral mucositis in oral cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. Between April 2007 and March 2011, a total of 33 inpatients with oral cancer receiving radiotherapy were recruited. They were followed from the beginning of radiotherapy to discharge from hospital. All patients had no mucositis when radiotherapy started. The odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) of BMI for incident grade 2 and grade 3 mucositis were calculated by use of univariable logistic regression models. All patients developed oral mucositis (grade 1 in 39.4 %, grade 2 in 30.3 %, grade 3 in 30.3 %), with the maximum grade occurring at an average of 32.4 days. Compared with normal BMI (a parts per thousand yen22.0), the OR of low BMI (< 22.0) for moderate to severe mucositis was 9.07 (95 % CI, 1.72-47.68). Low BMI may be a risk factor of moderate to severe oral mucositis.