Malnutrition in patients treated for oral or oropharyngeal cancer--prevalence and relationship with oral symptoms: an explorative study.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess prevalence of malnutrition after treatment for oral/oropharyngeal cancer and to explore how oral symptoms relate to malnutrition after treatment.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, malnutrition (weight loss ≥ 10% in 6 months or ≥ 5% in 1 month), oral symptoms (EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire and additional questions to assess chewing problems), dental status, trismus and dietary intake were assessed in 116 adult patients treated for oral/oropharyngeal cancer.


RESULTS
Prevalence of malnutrition was 16% (95%CI: 10% to 23%). Prevalence of malnutrition in the period 0-3 months after treatment was significantly higher (25%) than in the periods >3-12 months (13%) and >12-36 months after treatment (3%, p = 0.008). Logistic multivariate regression analysis revealed that swallowing problems (p = 0.021) and insufficient protein intake were significantly related to malnutrition (p = 0.016).


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, malnutrition is a considerable problem in patients treated for oral/oropharyngeal cancer, shortly after treatment. Of all oral symptoms, only swallowing problems were significantly related to malnutrition in the period after treatment for oral/oropharyngeal cancer.
Jager-Wittenaar
Harriët
H
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Internal zip code BB70, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. h.jager@onco.umcg.nl
Dijkstra
Pieter U
PU
Vissink
Arjan
A
van Oort
Rob P
RP
van der Laan
Bernard F A M
BF
Roodenburg
Jan L N
JL
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
D004044:Dietary Proteins