Long-term prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients: Impact on quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
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.
García-Peris
P
P
Nutrition Unit, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, 28007 Madrid, Spain. pgarciap.hgugm@salud.madrid.org
Parón
L
L
Velasco
C
C
de la Cuerda
C
C
Camblor
M
M
Bretón
I
I
Herencia
H
H
Verdaguer
J
J
Navarro
C
C
Clave
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005927:Glossectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents