%0 Journal Article
%T The EORTC QLQ43 and FACT H&N questionnaires of quality of life at 1 and 5 years after treatment and dental care in head and neck cancer patients: a pilot study.
%A Guedea M
%A Sánchez M
%A Lozano A
%A Ferrer M
%A Pont A
%A Guedea F
%A Clotet S
%A Juárez M
%A Araguas P
%A Ventura M
%A d'Oliveira NG
%A Ustrell JM
%J Clin Transl Oncol
%V 0
%N 0
%D 2024 Jun 23
%M 38909324
%F 3.34
%R 10.1007/s12094-024-03567-5
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>This study aimed to examine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in head and neck cancer patients at 1 and 5 years after successful treatment of their tumors, and to explore the usefulness of 2 instruments for assessing the need of dental care services.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>This cross-sectional pilot study included 20 adult patients with head and neck cancer who completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck (FACT H&N) Symptom Index and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Head and Neck Module (EORTC QLQ-H&N43) after 1 and 5 years of treatment.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Mean (standard deviation, SD) scores of the FACT H&N Symptom Index were higher (better HRQoL) at 5 years than at 1 year (24.1 [4.4] vs. 21.1 [6.4]; p = 0.236). Only three of the ten items of FACT H&N (swallow, pain in mouth/throat or neck, and solid foods) evaluated oral health. In the EORTC QLQ-H&N43 questionnaire, scores were lower at 5 years (better HRQoL) in almost all multi- and single-item symptoms. This questionnaire includes four multi-item scales (pain in the mouth, social eating, swallowing, and problems with teeth) measuring dental and orthodontic needs.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>HRQoL in patients with head and neck cancer improved with the length of follow-up. The EORTC QLQ-H&N43 has more items addressing oral health compared to the FACT H&N Symptom Index and may be more adequate to assess the need of dental therapy in clinical practice.