Cancer Management and Research (Nov 2020)
Short-Term Quality of Life, Functional Status, and Their Predictors in Tongue Cancer Patients After Anterolateral Thigh Free Flap Reconstruction: A Single-Center, Prospective, Comparative Study
Abstract
Roba Tamer,1,2 Yongyi Chen,1,3 Xianghua Xu,4 Chanjuan Xie,4 Joel Swai5 1Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha City, Hunan Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Nursing, Hama University, Hama City, Syria; 3Department of Hospital Administration, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha City, Hunan Province, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Nursing, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha City, Hunan Province, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha City, Hunan Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yongyi Chen Tel +86 13077303598Email [email protected]: To assess the quality of life, functional status, and their predictors in tongue cancer patients up to three months after anterolateral thigh free flap (ALTFF) reconstruction.Patients and Methods: Tongue cancer patients were examined before and one and three months after ALTFF reconstruction using three validated questionnaires: the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI), Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck (FACT-H&N). Mean scores were compared using the Friedman test. Forward selection and backward elimination methods of multiple linear regression analysis were used to identify the predictors of quality of life and functional status using SPSS at a 95% significance level.Results: The present study included 265 participants (88.68% males, mean age 46.7 ± 11.05 years). The mean MDADI and EAT-10 scores were highest at one month after the surgery and lowest at three months after the surgery (p < 0.05). The mean FACT-H&N score was lowest at one month after the surgery (p < 0.05); however, post hoc analysis revealed that the difference in the scores before and three months after the surgery was non significant (p > 0.05). Denture use, occupation, age, tumor site, illness duration, drinking habit, and diet predicted the patients’ quality of life, while denture use, betel nut consumption, age, marital status, and diet predicted their functional status.Conclusion: Although tongue cancer patients have a poor quality of life and functional status in the first month after ALTFF reconstruction, their quality of life and functional status improve thereafter. We recommend the implementation of swallowing training programs and case-oriented psychological interventions to assist patients in coping with temporary deterioration during the first month after the surgery.Keywords: tongue cancer, anterolateral thigh free flap reconstruction, MDADI, EAT-10
