Association between geriatric 8 (G8) scores and self-care decline in elderly patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma undergoing radiotherapy.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Self-care during radiotherapy (RT) is crucial for managing mucositis and dermatitis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). However, elderly patients often struggle with self-care. This study examined the relationship between self-care decline and the Geriatric 8 (G8) score.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 66 patients (≥ 65 years) with HNSCC who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and received definitive RT between December 2018 and February 2023. Self-care activities-medication adherence, oral care, grooming, skin ointment application, and gauze dressing-were assessed during definitive RT on a 0-5 scale. Patients were first grouped by initial self-care independence, and their G8 scores were compared. Among initially in

SUBMITTER: Katsuta T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12441079 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature