Modeling symptom drivers of oral intake in long-term head and neck cancer survivors

Purpose This study examined the relationship between self-reported symptom severity and oral intake in long-term head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors. Methods An observational survey study with retrospective chart abstraction was conducted. HNC patients who had completed an MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Head and Neck (MDASI-HN) questionnaire and also had clinician graded oral intake ratings (Functional Oral Intake Scale [FOIS]) were included. Correlation coefficients were computed. FOIS scores were regressed on MDASI-HN symptom items using stepwise backwards elimination for multivariate models. Results One hundred and fifty-two survey pairings were included in the analysis (median 44 months follow-up, range 7–198). Per FOIS, 28% of survivors maintained a total oral diet with no restrictions, 67% reported a restricted oral diet (without tube), 3% were partially tube-dependent with some oral intake, and 2% were NPO. Of the 22 symptom items, the most severe items in decreasing order were dry mouth, difficulty swallowing\chewing, problems with mucus, tasting food, and choking/coughing. Significant bivariate correlations, after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, were present for 8 of 22 symptoms with FOIS. On multivariate analysis, symptom severity for difficulty swallowing and problems with teeth/gums remained significantly associated with FOIS. Conclusions Oral intake in HNC survivorship is a multidimensional issue and functional outcome that is impacted not only by dysphagia but also by dental status. Symptom drivers of oral intake likely differ in acute survivorship. Nonetheless, these findings highlight the lack of specificity in this end point and also the need for multidisciplinary supportive care to optimize oral intake in survivors.