Quality of life in patients treated for oral and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in northeast Iran
Elaheh Sadeghloo1 
, Asieh Sadat Baniaghil2 , Gholamreza Roshandel3 , Maryam Ghelichli4 , Fatemeh Mehravar5 , Alireza Firozbakhsh6
, Asieh Sadat Baniaghil2 , Gholamreza Roshandel3 , Maryam Ghelichli4 , Fatemeh Mehravar5 , Alireza Firozbakhsh6
1- Dental Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
2- Counseling and Reproductive Health Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
3- Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
4- Dental Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Dental School, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran ,goldis.ghelichli@gmail.com
5- Ischemic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
6- University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom
2- Counseling and Reproductive Health Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
3- Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
4- Dental Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Dental School, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran ,
5- Ischemic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
6- University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Abstract: (16 Views)
Background: Patients with oral and/or laryngeal carcinoma face challenges that can persistently impair their quality of life (QoL) even after treatment. This study aimed to investigate QoL impairment in patients with oral and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma receiving treatment.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 54 individuals with oral and laryngeal cancer through census sampling in 2022. Patients over 18 years old who had received treatment were included. Individuals experiencing recurrences or relapses and those receiving neoadjuvant therapy were excluded. The list of names and phone numbers of participants was obtained from the database of the Liver and Digestive Research Centre in Golestan Province, Iran. The study utilized the Persian version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire–Head and Neck 35, which the participants completed during phone interviews. Point prevalence (per 100,000) was reported with 95% confidence intervals, and QoL data were summarized as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and median (interquartile range, IQR).
Results: The point prevalence of oral and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in Golestan Province was 15.15 per 100,000, with significant variation across counties, ranging from 5.80 to 26.01. The mean QoL score for the participants was 68.20 ± 29.58. Overall, 38.9% of the participants reported normal QoL, while 22.2% and 38.9% reported mild and moderate impairment, respectively. Subdomains related to weight loss and feeling ill showed a severe decline in QoL. Meanwhile, issues such as dry mouth, sticky saliva, social contacts, swallowing, pain, taste/smell, social eating, teeth problems, and speech were associated with moderate QoL impairment.
Conclusion: The findings show that the QoL among individuals with a history of oral and laryngeal cancer was below the threshold. Most participants experienced mild to moderate QoL impairments. These results highlight the need for targeted interventions focused on improving QoL for affected individuals based on their symptoms and signs.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 54 individuals with oral and laryngeal cancer through census sampling in 2022. Patients over 18 years old who had received treatment were included. Individuals experiencing recurrences or relapses and those receiving neoadjuvant therapy were excluded. The list of names and phone numbers of participants was obtained from the database of the Liver and Digestive Research Centre in Golestan Province, Iran. The study utilized the Persian version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire–Head and Neck 35, which the participants completed during phone interviews. Point prevalence (per 100,000) was reported with 95% confidence intervals, and QoL data were summarized as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and median (interquartile range, IQR).
Results: The point prevalence of oral and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in Golestan Province was 15.15 per 100,000, with significant variation across counties, ranging from 5.80 to 26.01. The mean QoL score for the participants was 68.20 ± 29.58. Overall, 38.9% of the participants reported normal QoL, while 22.2% and 38.9% reported mild and moderate impairment, respectively. Subdomains related to weight loss and feeling ill showed a severe decline in QoL. Meanwhile, issues such as dry mouth, sticky saliva, social contacts, swallowing, pain, taste/smell, social eating, teeth problems, and speech were associated with moderate QoL impairment.
Conclusion: The findings show that the QoL among individuals with a history of oral and laryngeal cancer was below the threshold. Most participants experienced mild to moderate QoL impairments. These results highlight the need for targeted interventions focused on improving QoL for affected individuals based on their symptoms and signs.
Keywords: Quality of Life, Psychological Well-Being, Oral Cancer, Head and Neck Neoplasms, Laryngeal Neoplasms, Iran
Type of study: Original Article |
Subject:
Management and Health System
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