title: Risk factors for oropharyngeal candidiasis in patients who receive radiation therapy for malignant conditions of the head and neck.
abstract: Twenty-seven consecutive patients receiving radiation to the head and neck were followed to assess risk factors for the development of candidiasis. One-third of the patients developed oral candidiasis during radiation therapy. Xerostomia was shown to correlate with risk of oropharyngeal infection (p = 0.033). The presence and use of oral prostheses were shown to correlate with oral colonization of Candida albicans before radiation therapy (p = 0.011). Alcohol use and smoking represent risk factors for oral colonization by Candida during radiation therapy (p = 0.023 and p = 0.045 respectively). These factors must be assessed in future studies of oropharyngeal candidiasis in radiation therapy.
authors.affiliation: British Columbia Cancer Agency, Canada.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Epstein
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Freilich
authors.forename: N D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Le
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000209:etiology*; D016371:Cranial Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology