title: Trismus, xerostomia and nutrition status in nasopharyngeal carcinoma survivors treated with radiation.
abstract: The aims of the study were to: (1) examine levels of trismus, xerostomia and nutritional status; (2) compare levels of trismus, xerostomia and nutritional status in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) receiving different types of radiation modalities; and (3) identify factors related to NPC survivors' risk status for malnutrition and existing malnutrition. A cross-sectional study with consecutive sampling was conducted. NPC survivors were recruited from otolaryngology/oncology outpatient clinics in a medical centre in Northern Taiwan. Study measures included (1) Mandibular Function Impairment Questionnaire, (2) Xerostomia Questionnaire, (3) Mini Nutrition Assessment, (4) Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - Depression subscale, and (5) Symptom Severity Scale. A total of 110 subjects were recruited. Those receiving intensity-modulated radiation therapy had less trismus and xerostomia than patients receiving two-dimensional radiation therapy. Patients with female gender, advanced stage, completion of treatments within 1 year, higher levels of depression, more severe trismus and higher symptom severity tended to have malnutrition or were at risk of malnutrition. Trismus and xerostomia are long-term problems in some NPC survivors and may contribute to malnutrition. To better manage a patient's trismus and xerostomia and to enhance nutritional status, clinicians should develop a patient-specific care programme based on careful assessment and targeted measures to improve oral function and insure adequate nutritional intake.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Y-J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: S-C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: C-P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Y-Y
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Y-H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: P-J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: J-Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: C-C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Y-H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D002277:Carcinoma; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077274:Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000009:adverse effects; D014313:Trismus / Q000209:etiology*; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: complication; nasopharyngeal carcinoma; nutrition; trismus; xerostomia