E. Hammerlid et al., MALNUTRITION AND FOOD-INTAKE IN RELATION TO QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN HEAD AND NECK-CANCER PATIENTS, Head & neck, 20(6), 1998, pp. 540-548
Background. The quality of life (QL)of cancer patients has attracted a
n increasing interest in recent years. Patients with head and neck can
cer often have troublesome symptoms due to the disease and to treatmen
t side effects, which will have an impact on the patient's QL. The aim
of this study was to evaluate the possibility of studying QL in relat
ion to well-known clinical parameters. Methods. Patient's QL was evalu
ated according to the European Organization for Research and Treatment
of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) combined
with a diagnosis-specific questionnaire. Quality of life was measured
in a cross section of head and neck cancer patients (n = 48) and rela
ted to nutritional status, energy intake, severity of disease, and 2-y
ear survival. Results. Fifty-one percent of the patients (mean age, 67
years) fulfilled the criteria proposed for malnutrition, and 55% had
a negative energy balance. We did not find any correlation between the
severity of the cancer disease and the patient's self-rated QL. Howev
er, we found significantly better QL ratings among the 2-year survivor
s (mean, 63; range 52-76 versus mean, 42; range, 31-54; p < .05). Ther
e were few correlations between the QL items and malnutrition.Conclusi
ons. Quality of life measurements offer objective information on well-
being, sometimes quite opposite that of other clinical parameters, suc
h as tumor stage. Furthermore, QL measurements may be of prognostic va
lue concerning the survival of head and neck cancer patients. (C) 1998
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.