Oral, Chemosensory and Trigeminal Functions in Allo-HSCT

Odour pens of the Sniffin' Sticks (Burghart Messtechnik, Wedel, Germany) will be used to test olfactory function (TDI). Scores will range from 0 - 48 where score ≤ 16.5 = anosmia (no sense of smell), score 16.6 - 30.5 = hyposmia (reduced sense of smell) and score >30.5 = normosmia (normal sense of smell)

Self-reported smell function will be assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) ranging from 0-10 where 0 indicates no smell function and 10 very good smell function.

Taste function will be evaluated by using taste strips ("Taste Strips "Burghart Messtechnik, Wedel, Germany) with four basic taste qualities (sweet, sour, salty and bitter) in 4 different concentrations each. Scores will range from 0 - 16 where 0 = ageusia (no sense of taste), 1 - 9 = hypogeusia (reduced sense of smell) and 10 - 16 = normogeusia (normal sense of taste)

Self-reported taste function will be assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) ranging from 0-10 where 0 indicates no taste function and 10 very good taste function.

Oral pain perception will be assessed by von Frey filaments. Scores will range from 0 -10 on a visual analogue scale (VAS) where 0 indicates no pain and 10 severe pain.

Self-reported oral pain will be assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) ranging from 0-10 where 0 indicates no oral pain and 10 severe oral pain.

Functional connectivity analysis (fMRI) of three different networks of interest: (i) the olfactory network (ii) the gustatory, and (iii) the pain matrix. There are no specified quantitative units for these measurements.

Saliva production will be measured using salivary flow rate - stimulated whole saliva (SWS). Hyposalivation is defined as a salivary secretion rate of ≤0.7 mL/min for SWS.

Clinical oral dryness will be assessed using Clinical Oral Dryness Score (CODS). Scores will range from 0 to 10 points. Score 1-3 is considered mild oral dryness, 4-6 moderate and 7-10 severe oral dryness.

Self-reported oral dryness will be assessed using the Xerostomia Inventory (XI) questionnaire. Scores will range from 11 to 55 points, with values <14 considered as normal.

Oral mucosal status will be evaluated using mucosal-plaque index (MPS). Scores will range from 2 - 8 where 2 - 4 = good/acceptable, 5 - 6 = no acceptable and 7 - 8 = poor status

Oral mucosal status will be evaluated using the WHO mucositis grading ranging form 0 - 4 where 0 = no oral mucositis, 1 = erythema and soreness, 2 = ulcers, able to eat solids, 3 = ulcers, requires a liquid diet (due to mucositis), 4 = ulcers, alimentation not possible (due to mucositis)

Nutritional status will be evaluated using the Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 form. Scores range from 0-6. Patients with a score < 3 is considered to be of no nutritional risk. Patients with a score ≥ 3 is considered to be in nutritional risk.

Quality of life will be assessed using the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Scores range from 0-100. A high score indicates better quality of life and a low score indicates a worse quality of life.

Oral health-related quality of life will be assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire. Scores range from 0-56. A high score indicates worse oral health-related quality of life, while a low score indicates better.