Association between trismus and dysphagia-related quality of life in survivors of head and neck cancer in Brazil

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Publication date: Available online 24 May 2019

Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology

Author(s): Gabriela Barbieri Ortigara, Riéli Elis Schulz, Eloisa Barbieri Soldera, Laura Izabel Lampert Bonzanini, Cristiane Cademartori Danesi, Raquel Pippi Antoniazzi, Kívia Linhares Ferrazzo

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between trismus and other radiation-associated conditions with dysphagia-related quality of life in patients having undergone radiotherapy of the head and neck.

Study design

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 88 patients who had squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx or larynx treated with 3D-conformal radiotherapy and had completed treatment at least three months earlier. Clinical data were obtained from medical records. Trismus, hyposalivation and radiation caries were evaluated clinically. Dysphagia-related quality of life (DRQoL) was investigated using the M. D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI). Binary logistic regression was performed to determine associations between DRQoL and both demographic and clinical variables.

Results

The mean total MDADI score was 67.33±15.47 and the physical domain was the most affected (60.28±19.00). Patients with cancer of the mouth and oropharynx had worse scores (p=0.001). Trismus was associated with poorer DRQoL in all domains of the MDADI (p=0.001) and with a greater chance of moderate to profound swallowing limitation (p=0.024).

Conclusion

Trismus and tumors located in the mouth and oropharynx were associated with poor swallowing function, exerting a negative impact on dysphagia-related quality of life.