Abstract 531P
Background
Mucositis is a prevalent and debilitating complication of cancer treatments, notably chemotherapy and radiotherapy, leading to inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes. This condition significantly impairs the quality of life of patients by causing severe pain, difficulty in eating and swallowing, and increasing the risk of infections. Current management strategies for mucositis are often inadequate, prompting the need for more effective treatments. Recent studies suggest that vitamin C and zinc, known for their roles in immune function, antioxidant defense, and tissue repair, could be potential therapeutic agents for mucositis.
Methods
A comparative observational study was conducted at the Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine, Kolhapur Cancer Centre, Maharashtra, India, over six months from September 2023 to February 2024. The study included two cohorts: a historical cohort treated before September 2023 and a prospective cohort treated during the study period, each consisting of 30 patients. The prospective cohort received vitamin C (1g intravenously) and zinc (20mg intravenously) injections twice a day for 5 days in addition to standard care. Data on VAS pain scores, time to achieve a pain score of less than 3, Quality of Life (QOL) using the H&N 35 QOL scale, and hospital admissions were collected and analyzed.
Results
The prospective cohort demonstrated significantly better outcomes compared to the historical cohort. The mean VAS score post-treatment decreased to 6.0 in the prospective cohort versus 7.0 in the historical cohort (p=0.0402). The time to achieve a pain score of less than 3 was significantly shorter in the prospective cohort (9.0 days) compared to the historical cohort (12.0 days) (p=0.0485). Additionally, the total QOL score improved significantly in the prospective cohort, with a mean score of 35.0 compared to 60.0 in the historical cohort (p=0.0487). Hospital admissions were fewer in the prospective cohort (7%) compared to the historical cohort (17%) (p=0.2163).
Conclusions
Vitamin C and zinc injections significantly improved pain management, reduced the time to achieve pain relief, and enhanced the quality of life in patients with mucositis.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.