QOL after head and neck reconstruction: evaluation of Japanese patients using SF-36 and GOHAI

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of Japanese patients with head and neck cancer after treatment.

Study design: Cross-sectional, descriptive study.

Patients and methods: Twenty-nine patients who underwent resection and reconstruction of the head and neck cancer between September 2001 and January 2008 at the National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center completed the Short Form 36 (generic QOL measure) and the General Oral Health Assessment Index (oral-specific QOL measure).

Results: The generic QOL of the patients was relatively maintained while oral-specific QOL was impaired compared to the Japanese norms. The patients with musculo-cutaneous flaps and 1y or longer after operation reported significantly lower QOL.

Conclusion: This is a unique study on Japanese patients with relatively longer time after operation. Further evaluation with increased number of cases and disease-specific QOL scale is required to better understand the QOL of the patients.