A study to assess the effectiveness of povidone iodine mouthwash versus chlorhexidine mouthwash on radiation or chemotherapy induced oral mucositis among cancer patients

The aim of the study to assess the effectiveness of povidone iodine mouthwash versus chlorhexidine mouthwash on radiation or chemotherapy induced oral mucositis among cancer patients. A quasi experimental two group pre test post test study was adopted. The study was conducted in Caritas Hospital, Kottayam. The objectives of the study were to assess the radiation or chemotherapy induced oral mucositis in cancer Patients. Assess the effectiveness of povidone iodine mouth wash on radiation or chemotherapy induced oral mucositis in cancer patients. Assess the effectiveness of chlorhexidine mouthwash on radiation or chemotherapy induced oral mucositis in cancer patients. Compare the effectiveness of povidone iodine and chlorhexidine mouth wash on radiation or chemotherapy induced oral mucositis in cancer patients. Purposive sampling technique was adopted to select the desired samples. The samples obtained were 46(each group 23 patients with oral mucositis). The data was collected by means of interview, medical record and through observation checklist (oral mucositis assessment tool). Subjects were assessed with the grade of oral mucosistis before and after povidone iodine mouthwash and chlorhexidine mouthwash. Patients were allotted for treatment either povidone iodine or chlorhexdine mouthwash alternatively. Patients were instructed to rinse their mouth with 10ml of mouthwash and swish it for two minutes in mouth and expectorate it. Treatment was given twice a day daily, and post assessment were done every third day. This was th th continued till the discharge of the patient. In both povidone iodine group and chlorhexidine group maximum of 18^th day and minimum of 9^th day assessment was done. Paired t value shows the effect of povidone iodine mouth wash ( t = 8.7) and chlorhexidine mouthwash ( t= 4.73) on radiation or chemotherapy induced oral mucositis at the level of 0.05. It was statistically significant. Independent t value (t= 4.78) shows povidone iodine mouthwash is more effective than chlorhexidine mouthwash on radiation or chemotherapy induced oral mucositis. Healing of oral mucositis was faster in povidone iodine group than chlorhexidine group.