Home-based humidification for mucositis in patients undergoing radical radiotherapy: preliminary report.
BACKGROUND
Oropharyngeal mucositis is a frequent, severe complication of local irradiation for tumours in the head and neck. We postulated that heated humidification of inspired air via a nasal interface may palliate symptoms of mucositis by reducing the discomfort associated with dry, sticky secretions. We sought to review the effect of home-based humidification on hospital admissions and the patient reported experience of that humidification.


METHODS
This study was a retrospective review. A historical (control) group of patients did not receive home humidification at any stage (n = 55) and a study group (n = 53) received home humidification at or after the onset of grade 3 mucositis. A questionnaire was sent to study group patients to obtain information about their experience of using the humidifier at home.


RESULTS
There were no demographic differences between the study and control groups, but the study group had significantly more advanced cancer (stage IV; p = .0307) and significantly higher total fractions and days treated (p < .01). Group comparison showed no difference in subsequent overall hospital admissions (p = .9269), but 7 of the 55 control group patients (12.7%) were admitted for supportive care within 2 months of completing radiotherapy, whereas none of the 53 patients who used home humidification were admitted after starting that use (p < .01). Almost all (95%) of the study group patients reported that humidification was of benefit, and 81% stated that it relieved mouth or throat pain.


CONCLUSIONS
Humidification of inspired gas offers a simple, drug-free option for managing a number of the adverse mucosal effects of radiation and chemoradiation in head and neck cancer patients.
Morton
Randall P
RP
Auckland Regional Head and Neck Unit, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
Thomson
Vicki C
VC
Macann
Andrew
A
Gerard
Catherine M
CM
Izzard
Mark
M
Hay
K David
KD
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000628:therapy*