The impact of head and neck radiotherapy on salivary flow and quality of life: Results of the ORARAD study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Salivary hypofunction and xerostomia, are common side effects of radiotherapy, negatively impacting quality of life. The OraRad study presents results on the longitudinal impact of radiotherapy on salivary flow and patient-reported outcomes.

Patients and methods

Prospective, multicenter cohort study of 572 patients receiving curative-intent head and neck radiotherapy (RT). Stimulated salivary flow (SSF) rate and patient-reported outcomes were measured prior to RT and at 6- and 18-months post-RT. Linear mixed effects models examined the relationship between RT dose and change in salivary flow, and change in patient-reported outcomes.

Results

544 patients had baseline salivary flow measurement, with median (IQR) stimulated flow rate of 0.975 (0.648, 1.417) g/

SUBMITTER: Lin A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8977268 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature