Clinical determinants of weight loss in patients receiving radiation and chemoirradiation for head and neck cancer: A prospective longitudinal view. Issue 5 (22nd June 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kubrak, Catherine; Olson, Kärin; Jha, Naresh; Scrimger, Rufus; Parliament, Matthew; McCargar, Linda; Koski, Sheryl; Baracos, Vickie E.
• Is Part Of: Head & neck. Volume 35:Issue 5(2013:May)
• Page Start: 695
• Page End: 703
• Publication Date: 2012-06-22
• Subjects: Head -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neck -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Head -- Periodicals; Neck -- Periodicals; Face -- Periodicals; 617.51059
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.23023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-3074

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="abs1-1" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>We aimed to determine the effects of systemic inflammation and symptoms of head and neck cancer patients on dietary intake and weight in relation to mode of treatment.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-2" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>In all, 38 orally fed patients had intake, weight, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and symptoms prospectively assessed at baseline, post‐treatment, and follow‐up.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-3" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Intake/weight declined and CRP increased substantially in chemoirradiation patients (−11.4 ± 5.2 kg, −1214 kcal/day, 23.4 ± 24.9 mg/L; <italic>p</italic> < .05) versus radiotherapy patients (−3.5 ± 4.8 kg, −483 kcal/day, 8.3 ± 13.9 mg/L) during posttreatment (repeated‐measures ANOVA). Multivariate generalized estimating equations modeling identified reduced swallowing capacity was a key predictor of energy intake in both treatment groups (<italic>p</italic> < .001); multiple symptoms experienced by radiotherapy/chemoirradiation patients were significant predictors of weight loss; additionally, in chemoirradiation patients, CRP was an independent predictor of weight loss (<italic>p</italic> < .001).</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-4" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Treatment of symptoms and systemic inflammation are important clinical targets to manage weight loss in patients with head and neck cancer, especially those treated with chemoirradiation. Head Neck, 2013</p> </sec> </abstract>