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

Guedea, Marc; Sánchez, Meritxell; Lozano, Alicia; Ferrer Forés, Maria Montserrat; Pont Acuña, Àngels; Guedea, Ferrán; Clotet, Sandra; Juárez, Marc; Araguas, Pablo; Ventura Alemany, Montserrat; d'Oliveira, Nuno Gustavo; Ustrell, Josep Maria

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12094-024-03567-5

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

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Citació

Guedea M, Sánchez M, Lozano A, Ferrer M, Pont A, Guedea F, et al. 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. Clin Transl Oncol. 2025 Jan;27(1):166-74. DOI: 10.1007/s12094-024-03567-5

Resum

Purpose: 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. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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.