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01-09-2014 | Original Article

Weight loss and body mass index in relation to aspiration in patients treated for head and neck cancer: a long-term follow-up

Authors: Sandra Ottosson, Ulrika Lindblom, Peter Wahlberg, Per Nilsson, Elisabeth Kjellén, Björn Zackrisson, Eva Levring Jäghagen, Göran Laurell

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 9/2014

Abstract

Purpose

Persistent severe swallowing dysfunction with aspiration is a common and sometimes overlooked sequelae after treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and may impact food intake and nutritional status. More knowledge is needed to increase the understanding of severe swallowing dysfunction as a risk factor for persistent nutritional deteriorations in SCCHN survivors. The purpose of the study was to investigate weight loss and body mass index (BMI) in relation to pharyngeal swallowing function in a long-term perspective in patients after SCCHN treatment.

Methods

Data from 101 patients were available for the analyses. Swallowing function was assessed by videofluoroscopy at a mean of 71.6 months after the start of radiotherapy (RT). Percent weight change (calculated with weight at the start of RT as the reference) and BMI at follow-up were the primary nutritional measures.

Results

Aspiration was present in 48 of 101 patients (48 %). Patients with aspiration had a significantly higher mean weight loss and a lower BMI (−10.9 % and 23.1, respectively) at follow-up compared with patients without aspiration (−2.8 % and 26.0, respectively). Patients with aspiration were unable to gain weight after 23 months. Only ten of 101 patients (10 %) were underweight at follow-up.

Conclusions

Swallowing dysfunction with aspiration was related to long-term weight loss and reduced BMI. Few patients were underweight despite the high prevalence of swallowing dysfunction.

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Title: Weight loss and body mass index in relation to aspiration in patients treated for head and neck cancer: a long-term follow-up
Authors: Sandra Ottosson
Ulrika Lindblom
Peter Wahlberg
Per Nilsson
Elisabeth Kjellén
Björn Zackrisson
Eva Levring Jäghagen
Göran Laurell
Publication date: 01-09-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 9/2014
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2211-6

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