Background: Head-and-neck cancer (HNC) can cause oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD). Early identification of OD in newly diagnosed HNC patients is important to better prepare patients for their cancer treatment trajectory. The aim of this study is (1) to assess the prevalence of OD in HNC patients within three weeks before the start of cancer treatment and (2) to investigate which demographic and oncological characteristics may be risk factors associated with the risk of OD at baseline. Methods: Patients (N = 225) completed the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) and Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire (SNAQ). Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between OD versus demographic and oncological characteristics. Results: A total of 21.3% (proportion 0.213; 95% CI 0.163–0.274) of the patients were at risk for OD. After correction for age, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) grade, and primary tumor location, a significant association was found between advanced-stage cancer versus the risk of OD. Additionally, post hoc analysis revealed a significant association between the risk of malnutrition versus the risk of OD. Conclusions: Approximately one-fifth of all newly diagnosed HNC patients are at risk of OD, with advanced-stage cancer and malnutrition emerging as significant risk factors of OD. These findings empower health professionals toward more effective screening and management of a patient’s risk profile before the start of HNC treatment.
背景：头颈癌（HNC）可导致口咽性吞咽困难（OD）。在新诊断的HNC患者中早期识别OD，有助于患者更好地为癌症治疗过程做好准备。本研究旨在：（1）评估HNC患者在癌症治疗开始前三周内OD的患病率；（2）探讨哪些人口统计学和肿瘤学特征可能是与基线OD风险相关的危险因素。方法：患者（N = 225）完成了进食评估工具-10（EAT-10）和简短营养评估问卷（SNAQ）。采用逻辑回归分析检验OD与人口统计学及肿瘤学特征之间的关联。结果：共有21.3%（比例0.213；95% CI 0.163–0.274）的患者存在OD风险。在矫正年龄、查尔森合并症指数（CCI）分级及原发肿瘤部位后，发现晚期癌症与OD风险之间存在显著关联。此外，事后分析显示营养不良风险与OD风险之间存在显著关联。结论：约五分之一的新诊断HNC患者存在OD风险，其中晚期癌症和营养不良是OD的重要危险因素。这些发现有助于医疗专业人员在HNC治疗开始前，更有效地筛查和管理患者的风险状况。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家