Nutritional Impact Symptoms in Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Thainá C. do Rosario, Fabíola L. P. Soares, Louise V. O. Soares, Julia S. N. Gallavotti, Isabela S. Rodrigues, Camila B. do Prado, Olívia P. G. de Podestá, Katia Cirlene G. Viana, Ricardo M. Rocha, Jeferson Lenzi, José Roberto V. de Podestá, Evandro D. de Souza, Fabiano K. Haraguchi, Glenda B. Petarli, André S. Leopoldo, Luciane B. Salaroli
Primary Institution: Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES)
Hypothesis
This study aimed to analyze the presence and severity of nutritional impact symptoms (NISs) and their associated factors in individuals with head and neck cancer before treatment.
Conclusion
Tumor location, smoking, and the presence of nutritional risk influence the quantity and severity of nutritional impact symptoms.
Supporting Evidence
- 95% of participants showed one or more nutritional impact symptoms before treatment.
- Cancer in the larynx had a lower NIS score compared to that in the oral cavity.
- Ex-smokers showed a lower NIS score than current smokers.
- Participants with nutritional risk had higher NIS scores.
Takeaway
People with head and neck cancer often have problems that make it hard to eat, and these problems can be worse if they smoke or are at risk of not getting enough nutrition.
Methodology
This is a cross-sectional study with HNC patients from a cancer reference hospital, collecting sociodemographic, lifestyle, clinical, and anthropometric data along with nutritional risk screening and NIS screening.
Potential Biases
Information bias was minimized through staff training, but selection bias was a possibility due to the low refusal rate.
Limitations
The cross-sectional design limits causality analysis, and a multicenter evaluation with a larger number of patients could provide more accurate assumptions.
Participant Demographics
The sample consisted of 132 participants, predominantly older adults (61%), men (77%), mixed-race individuals (54%), with less than eight years of education (71%), and a family income of less than or equal to two minimum wages (76%).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.009
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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