Iris Krebbers1,2, Sorina R Simon3, Walmari Pilz3,4, Bernd Kremer3, Bjorn Winkens5,6, Laura W J Baijens3,4. 1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands, iris.krebbers@mumc.nl. 2. School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, GROW, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands, iris.krebbers@mumc.nl. 3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands. 4. School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, GROW, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands. 5. Department of Methodology and Statistics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. 6. Care and Public Health Research Institute, CAPHRI, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Affective symptoms are common in patients with head-and-neck cancer. This study determined the association between the presence of aspiration and symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as patient characteristics in patients with head-and-neck cancer and dysphagia. METHODS: Eighty-four patients with head-and-neck cancer and dysphagia completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and underwent a standardized fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. Linear regression analysis was performed to explore the associations. RESULTS: Fifty-two (61.9%) patients presented clinically relevant symptoms of anxiety or depression. Forty-eight (57.1%) patients presented with aspiration during fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. A significant negative association was found between the presence of aspiration and affective (anxiety and depression) symptoms (p = 0.04). Male patients presented significantly lower symptom scores of anxiety compared to females (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Clinically relevant affective symptoms were present in more than half of all patients with head-and-neck cancer and dysphagia. Surprisingly, a significant negative association was found between the presence of aspiration and these affective symptoms. Gender was also significantly associated with affective symptoms. These results suggest that there is a need for further investigation into the impact of psychological distress on patients with head-and-neck cancer and dysphagia.
OBJECTIVE: Affective symptoms are common in patients with head-and-neck cancer. This study determined the association between the presence of aspiration and symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as patient characteristics in patients with head-and-neck cancer and dysphagia. METHODS: Eighty-four patients with head-and-neck cancer and dysphagia completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and underwent a standardized fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. Linear regression analysis was performed to explore the associations. RESULTS: Fifty-two (61.9%) patients presented clinically relevant symptoms of anxiety or depression. Forty-eight (57.1%) patients presented with aspiration during fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. A significant negative association was found between the presence of aspiration and affective (anxiety and depression) symptoms (p = 0.04). Male patients presented significantly lower symptom scores of anxiety compared to females (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Clinically relevant affective symptoms were present in more than half of all patients with head-and-neck cancer and dysphagia. Surprisingly, a significant negative association was found between the presence of aspiration and these affective symptoms. Gender was also significantly associated with affective symptoms. These results suggest that there is a need for further investigation into the impact of psychological distress on patients with head-and-neck cancer and dysphagia.
Authors: Iris Krebbers; Walmari Pilz; Sophie Vanbelle; Rob J C G Verdonschot; Laura W J Baijens Journal: Dysphagia Date: 2022-07-07 Impact factor: 3.438
Authors: Erdem Yildiz; Stefan Grasl; Doris-Maria Denk-Linnert; Gabriela Altorjai; Harald Herrmann; Matthaeus C Grasl; Boban M Erovic; Stefan Janik Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2022-05-10 Impact factor: 4.964
Authors: V A L Huppertz; W Pilz; G Pilz Da Cunha; L C P G M de Groot; A van Helvoort; J M G A Schols; L W J Baijens Journal: Front Neurol Date: 2022-09-28 Impact factor: 4.086