Oral and ocular late effects in head and neck cancer patients treated with radiotherapy

A broader understanding of oral and ocular late effects in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients who underwent intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) may provide valuable information in follow-up and improve quality of life. Twenty-nine HNC patients treated at least 6 months earlier and 30 age-matche...

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Published inScientific reports Vol. 11; no. 1; p. 4026
Main Authors Westgaard, Kristine Løken, Hynne, Håvard, Amdal, Cecilie Delphin, Young, Alix, Singh, Preet Bano, Chen, Xiangjun, Rykke, Morten, Hove, Lene Hystad, Aqrawi, Lara A, Utheim, Tor P, Herlofson, Bente Brokstad, Jensen, Janicke Liaaen
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Norwegian
Published England Nature Publishing Group 17.02.2021
Nature Portfolio
Nature Publishing Group UK
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Summary:A broader understanding of oral and ocular late effects in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients who underwent intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) may provide valuable information in follow-up and improve quality of life. Twenty-nine HNC patients treated at least 6 months earlier and 30 age-matched controls were recruited. After completing several questionnaires: Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), Shortened Xerostomia Inventory (SXI), Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and McMonnies Dry Eye questionnaire (MDEQ), participants underwent oral and ocular examinations. Oral examination included clinical oral dryness score (CODS) and secretion rates of unstimulated and stimulated saliva (UWS, SWS). Ocular examination included tear film break-up time, Schirmer test and ocular surface staining. The patients had more problems related to dry mouth than controls based on CODS and SXI, and more complaints of dry eye disease based on OSDI and MDEQ. UWS and SWS rates and oral health related quality of life were significantly lower in the patient group. Subjective oral dryness (SXI) correlated significantly with subjective ocular dryness (OSDI and MDEQ). Our study demonstrates that HNC patients treated with IMRT experience late effects in terms of xerostomia and ocular dryness underlining the importance of interdisciplinary approach in the evaluation and follow-up of HNC patients.
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ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-83635-w