Long-term prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients: Impact on quality of life

• Published in: Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) Scotland), 2007-12, Vol.26 (6), p.710-717
• Main Authors: García-Peris, P, Parón, L, Velasco, C, de la Cuerda, C, Camblor, M, Bretón, I, Herencia, H, Verdaguer, J, Navarro, C, Clave, P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects; Biological and medical sciences; Chemoradiotherapy; Cross-Sectional Studies; Deglutition Disorders - epidemiology; Deglutition Disorders - etiology; Dysphagia; Esophagus; Female; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Glossectomy - adverse effects; Head and neck cancer; Head and Neck Neoplasms - complications; Head and Neck Neoplasms - therapy; Humans; Male; Malnutrition - epidemiology; Malnutrition - etiology; Mandible - surgery; Maxilla - surgery; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Middle Aged; Nutrition Assessment; Nutritional Status; Other diseases. Semiology; Otorhinolaryngology (head neck, general aspects and miscellaneous); Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Prevalence; Protein-Energy Malnutrition - epidemiology; Protein-Energy Malnutrition - etiology; Quality of Life; Radiotherapy - adverse effects; Retrospective Studies; Surgery; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tumors
• ISSN: 0261-5614; 1532-1983
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2007.08.006

Summary Background & aims To determine the prevalence of dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients treated with surgery and radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. To study the impact of dysphagia on food habits, nutritional status, and quality of life. Methods Retrospective cross-sectional study of 87 head and neck cancer patients treated with surgery and radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy from January 2000 through May 2005. Time since surgery was 28.5±17.8 months. A clinical test was used to detect dysphagia. A nutritional assessment was performed in all patients. A questionnaire was used to evaluate quality of life. Results Oropharyngeal dysphagia was present in 50.6% of patients, mostly to solid foods (72.4%). Patients with total glossectomy and chemoradiotherapy had the highest rate of dysphagia. Nutritional support was necessary in 57.1% of patients. Malnutrition was present in 20.3% of patients, mainly marasmus (81%). Fifty-one percent of patients reported a decrease in their quality of life due to dysphagia. Conclusions We found a high prevalence of dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients treated with surgery and coadjuvant treatment. This problem negatively affects their quality of life. It is important that nutritional surveillance be provided to detect it and to prevent malnutrition.