Correlation between the Voice Handicap and Swallowing Quality of Life in patients with laryngeal cancer submitted to chemoradiotherapy.

Maria Eduarda Da Rosa,Cláudia Tiemi Mituuti,Ana Carolina De Assis Moura Ghirardi

doi:10.1590/2317-1782/20182017060

Maria Eduarda Da Rosa, Cláudia Tiemi Mituuti + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20182017060

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Abstract

Purpose To verify the correlation between the voice handicap and swallowing quality of life in individuals submitted to chemoradiotherapy for laryngeal cancer treatment. Methods Cross-sectional, observational and quantitative study. Fourteen male individuals diagnosed with laryngeal cancer were submitted to exclusive chemoradiotherapy treatment. The individuals completed the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and the Swallowing Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL) questionnaires. Data were submitted to descriptive and inferential analysis using Spearman's Correlation Test to verify possible correlations among the scores of these instruments. Values of p ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results No significant correlation was found between the total VHI and overall SWAL-QOL scores. However, there was significant correlation between the domain Functional of the VHI and the domains Fatigue and Social of the SWAL-QOL, between the domain Organic in the VHI and the SWAL-QOL domain Social, and total VHI score and SWAL-QOL domain Swallowing as a burden. Furthermore, chemoradiotherapy treatment had a greater impact on the voice than on the swallowing for the studied individuals. Conclusion The data showed a significant correlation between voice handicap and the impact of quality of life involving swallowing in individuals with laryngeal cancer submitted to chemoradiotherapy. This may affect individuals' emotional and social aspects, impacting their overall quality of life.

Highlights

Laryngeal cancer is considered to be one of the most common tumors in the head and neck region, accounting for approximately 25% of malignant tumors in this area and 2% of all malignancies[1].One study[2] reports good results in the treatment of the disease with the preservation of the laryngeal organ through combined treatments of radiotherapy and chemotherapy without compromising the results in terms of survival time
In order to verify whether there was a correlation between Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and SWAL-QOL, a descriptive analysis of frequency, percentage and quantity of categorical variables was done, using mean of the findings, maximum and minimum of the scores found, and exploratory where Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient test was applied in order to verify both the correlation between the instruments used and the number of radiotherapy and chemotherapy sessions performed by the individuals in the study, as well as the correlation between the total scores and the isolated domains of the instruments
The present study investigated only the individuals submitted to chemoradiotherapy

Summary

Introduction

Laryngeal cancer is considered to be one of the most common tumors in the head and neck region, accounting for approximately 25% of malignant tumors in this area and 2% of all malignancies[1].One study[2] reports good results in the treatment of the disease with the preservation of the laryngeal organ through combined treatments of radiotherapy and chemotherapy without compromising the results in terms of survival time. Preservation of the larynx does not always constitute a treatment that completely protects all its functions (breathing, phonation and swallowing) since individuals may present specific alterations in communication and swallowing[2], which may lead to worsening of the quality of life. In addition to possible burns and/or fibrosis of the tissues of this region, the treatment can cause several difficulties for communication and swallowing of the individual, which may decrease their social insertion[4]. The quality of life of patients after treatment of head and neck cancer has been a subject researched by several health professionals, including Speech-language Pathology (SLP) therapists, who must ensure that there are services available in the post-treatment period that address the physical need, and the emotional and psychosocial need of the patient[5]

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