Oral health-related quality of life after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer: the OraRad study.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment results in morbidity impacting quality of life (QOL) in survivorship. This analysis evaluated changes in oral health-related QOL (OH-QOL) up to 2 years after curative intent radiation therapy (RT) for HNC patients and factors associated with these changes.

Methods

572 HNC patients participated in a multicenter, prospective observational study (OraRad). Data collected included sociodemographic, tumor, and treatment variables. Ten single-item questions and 2 composite scales of swallowing problems and senses problems (taste and smell) from a standard QOL instrument were assessed before RT and at 6-month intervals after RT.

Results

The most persistently impacted OH-QOL variables at 24 months included: dry mouth; sticky saliva,

SUBMITTER: Patton LL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11216743 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature