Affiliation:
1. Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery University of California, Davis Sacramento California USA
2. Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology University of California, Davis Sacramento California USA
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveSarcopenia, characterized by decreased skeletal muscle mass, is associated with poorer oncologic outcomes in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. The effect of sarcopenia on swallowing following HNC treatment is unknown. This study aims to investigate the association of sarcopenia and swallowing dysfunction in patients treated for HNC.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingAcademic medical center.MethodsPretreatment sarcopenia was assessed using the skeletal muscle index calculated from cross‐sectional imaging at the third cervical vertebra. Feeding tube dependence, patient‐reported dysphagia, and swallowing safety were assessed before and after treatment with the Functional Oral Intake Scale, Eating Assessment Tool‐10, and Penetration Aspiration Scale, respectively. The association between sarcopenia and swallowing dysfunction was evaluated.ResultsA total of 112 patients were included, 84 males (75%) and 28 females (25%). A total of 69 (61.6%) had sarcopenia prior to initiating HNC therapy. Sarcopenia was significantly associated with an elevated risk of patient‐reported dysphagia (odds ratio [OR] = 2.71 [95% confidence interval, CI, 1.12‐6.79]; P < .05). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that sarcopenia (OR = 15.18 [95% CI, 1.50‐453.53]; P < .05) is an independent predictor for aspiration following treatment for HNC.ConclusionPatients with pretreatment sarcopenia had higher rates of dysphagia before treatment and were more likely to develop aspiration after completion of HNC therapy. Sarcopenia is readily measured using cross‐sectional imaging and may be useful for identifying patients at risk of swallowing dysfunction and those most likely to benefit from prehabilitation efforts.
Cited by
1 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献
1. Dysphagia in Head and Neck Cancer;Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America;2024-08