TY - JOUR
T1 - The course of swallowing problems in the first 2 years after diagnosis of head and neck cancer
AU - Vermaire, J.A.
AU - Raaijmakers, C.P.J.
AU - Monninkhof, E.M.
AU - Leemans, C.R.
AU - de Jong, R.J.B.
AU - Takes, R.P.
AU - Leeuw, I.M.V.-D.
AU - Jansen, F.
AU - Langendijk, J.A.
AU - Terhaard, C.H.J.
AU - Speksnijder, C.M.
N1 - Funding Information: This study was carried out using the research infrastructure within the NET-QUBIC project (NETherlands QUality of life and BIomedical Cohort studies in Head and Neck Cancer) sponsored by the Dutch Cancer Society/Alpe d’HuZes (grant number VU 2013–5930). Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s).
PY - 2022/11/1
Y1 - 2022/11/1
N2 - © 2022, The Author(s).Introduction: Head and neck cancer (HNC) and its treatment often negatively impact swallowing function. The aim was to investigate the course of patient-reported swallowing problems from diagnosis to 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment, in relation to demographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors. Methods: Data were used of the Netherlands Quality of Life and Biomedical Cohort Study in head and neck cancer research (NET-QUBIC). The primary outcome measures were the subscales of the Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QOL). Linear mixed-effects models (LMM) were conducted to investigate changes over time and associations with patient, clinical, and lifestyle parameters as assessed at baseline. Results: Data were available of 603 patients. There was a significant change over time on all subscales. Before treatment, 53% of patients reported swallowing problems. This number increased to 70% at M3 and decreased to 59% at M6, 50% at M12, and 48% at M24. Swallowing problems (i.e., longer eating duration) were more pronounced in the case of female, current smoking, weight loss prior to treatment, and stage III or IV tumor, and were more prevalent at 3 to 6 months after treatment. Especially patients with an oropharynx and oral cavity tumor, and patients receiving (C)RT following surgery or CRT only showed a longer eating duration after treatment, which did not return to baseline levels. Conclusion: Half of the patients with HNC report swallowing problems before treatment. Eating duration was associated with sex, smoking, weight loss, tumor site and stage, and treatment modality, and was more pronounced 3 to 6 months after treatment.
AB - © 2022, The Author(s).Introduction: Head and neck cancer (HNC) and its treatment often negatively impact swallowing function. The aim was to investigate the course of patient-reported swallowing problems from diagnosis to 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment, in relation to demographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors. Methods: Data were used of the Netherlands Quality of Life and Biomedical Cohort Study in head and neck cancer research (NET-QUBIC). The primary outcome measures were the subscales of the Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QOL). Linear mixed-effects models (LMM) were conducted to investigate changes over time and associations with patient, clinical, and lifestyle parameters as assessed at baseline. Results: Data were available of 603 patients. There was a significant change over time on all subscales. Before treatment, 53% of patients reported swallowing problems. This number increased to 70% at M3 and decreased to 59% at M6, 50% at M12, and 48% at M24. Swallowing problems (i.e., longer eating duration) were more pronounced in the case of female, current smoking, weight loss prior to treatment, and stage III or IV tumor, and were more prevalent at 3 to 6 months after treatment. Especially patients with an oropharynx and oral cavity tumor, and patients receiving (C)RT following surgery or CRT only showed a longer eating duration after treatment, which did not return to baseline levels. Conclusion: Half of the patients with HNC report swallowing problems before treatment. Eating duration was associated with sex, smoking, weight loss, tumor site and stage, and treatment modality, and was more pronounced 3 to 6 months after treatment.
KW - Head and neck cancer
KW - Linear mixed-effects model
KW - Oral function
KW - SWAL-QOL
KW - Swallowing
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85137202382&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-022-07322-w
DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-022-07322-w
M3 - Article
C2 - 36040669
SN - 0941-4355
VL - 30
SP - 9527
EP - 9538
JO - Supportive Care in Cancer
JF - Supportive Care in Cancer
IS - 11
ER -