Symptoms of oropharyngeal dysphagia, efficiency, and safety of swallowing in patients after treatment for head and neck cancer

• Published in: Supportive care in cancer 2024-01, Vol.32 (1), p.21-21, Article 21
• Main Authors: Costa, Danila Rodrigues, Guedes, Renata Lígia Vieira, Mituuti, Cláudia Tiemi, Rubira, Cassia Maria Fischer, da Silva Santos, Paulo Sérgio, Berretin-Felix, Giédre
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Cancer therapies; Clinical outcomes; Deglutition; Deglutition Disorders - etiology; Dysphagia; Efficiency; Head & neck cancer; Head and Neck Neoplasms - complications; Head and Neck Neoplasms - therapy; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Nursing; Nursing Research; Oncology; Pain Medicine; Prospective Studies; Rehabilitation Medicine; Retrospective Studies; Side effects; Swallowing
• ISSN: 0941-4355; 1433-7339
• DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-08215-2

Purpose The aim of this study is to investigate the relation between symptoms and signs of oropharyngeal dysphagia after treatment for head and neck cancer. Methods An observational analytical study with retrospective and prospective components was carried out including 25 adult and elderly patients with head and neck cancer who had completed the treatment at least 3 months before data collection. Data from the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) protocol were analyzed, as well as from the videofluoroscopic swallowing exams. Based on videofluoroscopy, the degree of oropharyngeal dysphagia was classified, as well as the safety and efficiency grade using the DIGEST (Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity) scale. Pearson’s correlation test was applied, adopting a significance level of 5%. Results There was a significant correlation between question 4 of the EAT-10 (swallowing solids takes extra effort) and the efficiency profile ( p  = 0.004), as well as between question 4 and the DIGEST score ( p  = 0.002). No significant relation was found between the DIGEST score and EAT-10 total score ( p  = 0.180) and not even between EAT-10 total score and efficiency ( p  = 0.129) or safety grade ( p  = 0.878). Conclusion In conclusion, no relation was found between most of the dysphagia signs and symptoms investigated, demonstrating that the individual’s perception of the swallowing function may not be consistent with the findings of the instrumental evaluation after long-term treatment for head and neck cancer.