Trismus, Xerostomia, and Nutrition Status on Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients Receiving Radiotherapy
Date Issued
2010
Date
2010
Author(s)
Chen, Yen-Ju
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is one of prevalent head and neck cancer in Taiwan. The complications after definitive treatments including trismus, dry mouth, and malnutrition have a long-term impact on patients’ quality of life. With the increase in survival rate, the physiological and psychological issues faced by patients need to be more concerned and explored. The purpose of the study was to explore the impact of radiotherapy on nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients'' physical and psychological aspects. The physical aspect includes trismus, dry mouth, and malnutrition and the psychological aspect includes anxiety and depression. A cross-sectional study with purposive sampling was conducted at department of otolaryngology of a medical center in Northern Taiwan. The inclusion criteria for participants were diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients receiving radiotherapy and three mouths to five years after completion of treatments. Between December 2009 and May 2010, the eligible 108 patients were enrolled and assessed by the structured questionnaires including the form of basic information, Mandibular Function Impairment Questionnaire (MFIQ), Xerostomia Questionnaire (XQ), Mini Nutrition Assessment (MNA), Level of Eating Difficulty Scale (LEDS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Maximal interincisor opening and salivary output measured by collecting unstimulated and stimulated whole saliva were also measured in the study. The results showed (1) there was significant correlation between the trismus and the period of time after completion of treatments. (2) there was significant correlation between the dose of the radiation and the severity of dry mouth. (3) there was significant correlation among the severity of trismus, dry mouth, malnutrition, and depression. (4) the predictors of nutrition status were body weight, the severity of mandibular function impairment, depression, and kps. Thus, it should be maintained in the treatments of patients with body weight and kps in clinical practice, and prevent depression and the occurrence of trismus after treatments to reduce malnutrition in patients. Furthermore, our results supply health providers with the knowledge and evidence base. Further researchers should develop the effective intervention for the complications of treatments to enhance patients’ physiology and psychology.
Subjects
Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Radiotherapy
Trismus
Dry Mouth
Nutrition
Anxiety and Depression
Type
thesis
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