Patient-Reported Dysphagia and Swallowing-Related Quality of Life up to 10 Years After (Chemo)radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study

Frowen, JJ; Drosdowsky, A; Fua, TF; McDowell, LJ; Gough, K

Patient-Reported Dysphagia and Swallowing-Related Quality of Life up to 10 Years After (Chemo)radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author(s): Frowen, JJ; Drosdowsky, A; Fua, TF; McDowell, LJ; Gough, K;
Details: Publication Year 2026-03,Volume 48,Issue #3,Page 733-746
Journal Title: Head & Neck
Publication Type: Research article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: This study sought to better understand patient-reported dysphagia and swallowing-related quality of life (swQOL) in patients 6 months to 10 years following definitive (chemo)radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, self-reported dysphagia was assessed with the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) and swQOL with the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) at a single point in time. Sociodemographic and clinical data were also obtained. RESULTS: Completed questionnaires were received from 626 of 962 (65%) patients with various tumor sites, stages, and time since treatment (M = 58 months, range 6-128). Dysphagia (EAT-10 ≥ 3) was reported by 444 patients (71%), and poor swQOL (MDADI < 60) by 138 (22%). Several sociodemographic, clinical, and treatment variables were significantly associated with dysphagia and poorer swQOL. Outcomes were not associated with time since treatment. CONCLUSIONS: There remains a high prevalence of dysphagia and poor swQOL up to a decade posttreatment for HNC. This data can help guide survivorship care and lead mitigation strategies to reduce the persistent physical, emotional, and social burden of dysphagia.
Publisher: Wiley
Keywords: Humans; *Quality of Life; *Deglutition Disorders/etiology/epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; *Head and Neck Neoplasms/therapy/pathology; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Aged; *Chemoradiotherapy/adverse effects; Adult; Aged, 80 and over; Self Report; Time Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; chemoradiation; dysphagia; head and neck cancer; patient‐reported outcomes; quality‐of‐life
Department(s): Nutrition and Speech Pathology; Health Services Research; Radiation Oncology
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.70065
Open Access at Publisher's Site: https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.70065
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2025-11-11 04:09:27

Last Modified: 2026-02-19 05:52:50