Dehydration Reduction in Head and Neck Cancer (DRIHNC) Trial: Daily Oral Fluid and Electrolyte Maintenance to Prevent Acute Care Clinic and Emergency Department Visits for Patients Receiving Radiation for Head and Neck and Esophageal Cancer

Abstract

PurposePatients with head and neck (H&N) and esophageal cancer are at high risk for treatment-related symptomatic dehydration, often leading to interventions and hospital admissions. We tested the hypothesis that preemptive daily oral hydration during curative-intent radiation therapy would decrease dehydration as measured by intravenous fluid (IVF) delivery, acute care clinic (ACC) visits, and emergency department (ED) presentations. Methods and MaterialsPatients with H&N or esophageal cancer undergoing definitive radiation therapy were enrolled in this prospective pilot study. Beyond standard nutritional counseling, patients were given one 20-oz bottle of an electrolyte-infused solution (EIS) daily throughout treatment. Compliance, presentations to the hospital ACC and/or ED for dehydration-related indications, and IVF infusions were documented and compared with a matched contemporary control cohort. The incidence and frequency of outcomes were compared with the Fisher exact test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test, respectively. ResultsThirty-one patients were compared during a 6-month period. Mean and median compliance rates were 87.4% and 100%, respectively. There were 0 unplanned dehydration-related ED presentations in the study group versus 3 (9.7%) among controls (P = .08). Of patients in the intervention cohort, 32.3% required presentation to the ACC, versus 64.5% in the control cohort (P = .02), with a total of 26 versus 117 visits, respectively (P = .002). On multivariable analysis, receipt of the EIS in the intervention cohort was the only significantly associated factor (P = .02). Among patients in the intervention cohort, 35.5% required IVF during treatment, versus 64.5% among controls (P = .004). The difference in ACC visits (P = .003) and IVF received (P = .008) was especially notable among patients with esophageal cancer. Patients with ≥60% EIS compliance had slightly fewer ACC visits versus those with <60% compliance (P = .067). ConclusionsRegimented oral hydration during radiation for H&N and esophageal cancer was associated with a significant decrease in ACC visits and IVF delivery during definitive radiation therapy. This noninvasive and inexpensive preventative program in a high-risk cohort warrants further study.