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Open Access 01-10-2011 | Original Article

Malnutrition in patients treated for oral or oropharyngeal cancer—prevalence and relationship with oral symptoms: an explorative study

Authors: Harriët Jager-Wittenaar, Pieter U. Dijkstra, Arjan Vissink, Rob P. van Oort, Bernard F. A. M. van der Laan, Jan L. N. Roodenburg

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 10/2011

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to assess prevalence of malnutrition after treatment for oral/oropharyngeal cancer and to explore how oral symptoms relate to malnutrition after treatment.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, malnutrition (weight loss ≥ 10% in 6 months or ≥5% in 1 month), oral symptoms (EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire and additional questions to assess chewing problems), dental status, trismus and dietary intake were assessed in 116 adult patients treated for oral/oropharyngeal cancer.

Results

Prevalence of malnutrition was 16% (95%CI: 10% to 23%). Prevalence of malnutrition in the period 0–3 months after treatment was significantly higher (25%) than in the periods >3–12 months (13%) and >12–36 months after treatment (3%, p = 0.008). Logistic multivariate regression analysis revealed that swallowing problems (p = 0.021) and insufficient protein intake were significantly related to malnutrition (p = 0.016).

Conclusions

In conclusion, malnutrition is a considerable problem in patients treated for oral/oropharyngeal cancer, shortly after treatment. Of all oral symptoms, only swallowing problems were significantly related to malnutrition in the period after treatment for oral/oropharyngeal cancer.

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Title: Malnutrition in patients treated for oral or oropharyngeal cancer—prevalence and relationship with oral symptoms: an explorative study
Authors: Harriët Jager-Wittenaar
Pieter U. Dijkstra
Arjan Vissink
Rob P. van Oort
Bernard F. A. M. van der Laan
Jan L. N. Roodenburg
Publication date: 01-10-2011
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 10/2011
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-010-1001-z

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