Weight loss and Body Mass Index in relation to aspiration in patients treated for head and neck cancer : a long-term follow-up

• PURPOSE: Persistent severe swallowing dysfunction with aspiration is a common and sometimes overlooked sequelae after treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and may impact food intake and nutritional status. More knowledge is needed to increase the understanding of severe swallowing dysfunction as a risk factor for persistent nutritional deteriorations in SCCHN survivors. The purpose of the study was to investigate weight loss and body mass index (BMI) in relation to pharyngeal swallowing function in a long-term perspective in patients after SCCHN treatment.METHODS: Data from 101 patients were available for the analyses. Swallowing function was assessed by videofluoroscopy at a mean of 71.6 months after the start of radiotherapy (RT). Percent weight change (calculated with weight at the start of RT as the reference) and BMI at follow-up were the primary nutritional measures.RESULTS: Aspiration was present in 48 of 101 patients (48 %). Patients with aspiration had a significantly higher mean weight loss and a lower BMI (-10.9 % and 23.1, respectively) at follow-up compared with patients without aspiration (-2.8 % and 26.0, respectively). Patients with aspiration were unable to gain weight after 23 months. Only ten of 101 patients (10 %) were underweight at follow-up.CONCLUSIONS: Swallowing dysfunction with aspiration was related to long-term weight loss and reduced BMI. Few patients were underweight despite the high prevalence of swallowing dysfunction.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Cancer och onkologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cancer and Oncology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Oto-rhino-laryngologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Otorhinolaryngology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

fluoroscopy

swallowing dysfunction

head and neck cancer

weight loss

Body Mass Index

Oto-Rhino-Laryngology

oto-rhino-laryngologi

Fluoroscopy

Swallowing dysfunction

Head and neck cancer

Weight loss

Body mass index

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