Changes in pH and Sodium Salivary Bicarbonate Among Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Before and After Chemotherapy

The use of chemotherapy drugs can affect the salivary characteristics of the affected patients and, consequently, cause a change in soft and hard tissues of these patients. The present study examines the changes in pH and sodium bicarbonate in saliva of patients with acute myeloid leukemia before and after chemotherapy. This study was conducted on 40 patients over the age of 18 years, including 24 men (60%) and 16 women (40%) with definite diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia. After completing the consent forms, the patients participated in the study. In the first and the final sessions of chemotherapy, a sample of saliva was taken from the patients, and saliva flow, pH, and sodium bicarbonate were measured. Information were entered into the SPSS (version 16.0). Paired t test was analyzed and the results were recorded. Non-stimulated saliva flow, salivary pH, and sodium bicarbonate showed a significant decrease in all patients compared to pre-chemotherapy (P < 0.05). Regarding the role of saliva and its flow, pH and sodium bicarbonate in maintaining healthy hard, and soft tissues of the mouth, it is important to conduct similar studies with larger sample sizes to absorb therapists’ attention to this aspect of the complications of chemotherapy, which affect patient’s quality of life.