Quality of life among head and neck cancer treated patients in South India: A cross-sectional study

Manali Deb Barma; Meignana Arumugham Indiran; Pradeep Kumar R; Arthi Balasubramaniam; M P Santhosh Kumar

doi:10.1016/j.jobcr.2021.02.002

Quality of life among head and neck cancer treated patients in South India: A cross-sectional study

J Oral Biol Craniofac Res. 2021 Apr-Jun;11(2):215-218. doi: 10.1016/j.jobcr.2021.02.002. Epub 2021 Feb 9.

Authors

Manali Deb Barma¹, Meignana Arumugham Indiran¹, Pradeep Kumar R¹, Arthi Balasubramaniam¹, M P Santhosh Kumar²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India.
² Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India.

Abstract

Background and aim: The impact of oral health related disease and treatment on the patient's overall well-being and functioning is a topic of growing interest in clinical research and practice. Research shows that there is a significant reduction in the quality of life for the patients throughout the treatment of head and neck cancer. Therefore, the aim of the study is to assess the quality of life among treated head and neck cancer patients.

Materials and method: The cross sectional study was conducted among 225 head and neck cancer patients. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ C-30), Quality Of Life Head and Neck35" (QLQ-HN35) instruments were used to assess their quality of life. The study population was divided into three groups based on the treatment done: Group I (Surgery), Group II (Surgery and Radiotherapy) and Group III (Surgery, Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy). Independent t-test and one way ANOVA test were done to analyze the data.

Results: Trouble with opening mouth (34.66 ± 30.58) was one of the highest rated symptoms among the study population. Salivary dysfunction leading to dry mouth (33.33 ± 34.06), sticky saliva (33.33 ± 26.72) were also found to be severe. Among the three groups, the Global Health Status, Symptom Scale mean scores were more high in Group I, Functional Scale and H&N35 symptoms mean scores was high in Group III however no statistical significance was observed (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Head and neck cancer has severe effects on the quality of life. As observed from the findings of the current study, Global Health Status indicated a healthy level of living among patients who have undergone surgery alone; head and neck symptoms were more severe and problematic among patients who had surgery and radiotherapy. Therefore, assessing health related quality of life can be a factor that is weighed against treatment burden, toxicity, survival benefit. It can be more integral to treatment planning, refining treatment protocols and a better post-operative care and support.

Keywords: EORTC-QOL; India; Oncology; Oral cancer; Tobacco.