biostudies-literatureUnknown14(5)Luta XHead and neck cancer (HNC) patients experience distressing symptoms that can significantly impact their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We analyzed the implementation of a nurse-led consultation (NLC) and explored potential associations with symptom burden in HNC patients. We retrospectively analyzed routinely collected data to describe the implementation of the nurse-led interventions and the evolution of the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory scores as patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Patients who received routine care (n = 72) were compared with patients in the NLC group (n = 62) at a radiation oncology unit between 2017 and 2019. PROMs were measured at T0 (between simulation and the first week of radiotherapy), T1 (week 3-4), and T2 (week 5-6). Screening for nutrition, smoking, oral cavity status, and capacity for swallowing/chewing, but not for pain, was applied in >80% of patients in the NLC group from T0 to T1. Education (16%) and care coordination (7%) were implemented to a lesser extent. Symptom burden increased over time with no significant differences between groups. The nurse-led consultation was not associated with symptom burden over time. A larger implementation study including a detailed process evaluation, larger sample size, and a focus on long-term effects is needed.Cancers1227https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8909718biostudies-literatureNurse-Led Consultation and Symptom Burden in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: A Comparative Analysis of Routine Clinical Data.PMC8909718Fucina NColomer-Lahiguera SMartins Cardoso RJBourhis JNinane FDebarge PSavoie MWicht JLuta XSchuler CEicher MHof FfalseNurse-Led Consultation and Symptom Burden in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: A Comparative Analysis of Routine Clinical Data.Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients experience distressing symptoms that can significantly impact their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We analyzed the implementation of a nurse-led consultation (NLC) and explored potential associations with symptom burden in HNC patients. We retrospectively analyzed routinely collected data to describe the implementation of the nurse-led interventions and the evolution of the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory scores as patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Patients who received routine care (n = 72) were compared with patients in the NLC group (n = 62) at a radiation oncology unit between 2017 and 2019. PROMs were measured at T0 (between simulation and the first week of radiotherapy), T1 (week 3-4), and T2 (week 5-6). Screening for nutrition, smoking, oral cavity status, and capacity for swallowing/chewing, but not for pain, was applied in >80% of patients in the NLC group from T0 to T1. Education (16%) and care coordination (7%) were implemented to a lesser extent. Symptom burden increased over time with no significant differences between groups. The nurse-led consultation was not associated with symptom burden over time. A larger implementation study including a detailed process evaluation, larger sample size, and a focus on long-term effects is needed.2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Feb2025-04-21T23:16:29.593Z2025-04-05T19:05:34.573ZS-EPMC89097183526753610.3390/cancers14051227