Xerostomia: 12-month changes in saliva production and its relationship to perception and performance of swallow function, oral intake, and diet after chemoradiation. Head Neck 2003 Jun;25(6):432-7
Date
06/05/2003Pubmed ID
12784234DOI
10.1002/hed.10255Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0038612975 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 129 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: Previous investigators have found permanent changes in saliva production after chemoradiation but have not examined these in relation to swallowing measures, diet changes, and patient comfort over time.
METHODS: Thirty patients with advanced stage cancer of the oropharynx treated with chemoradiation were followed with videofluoroscopic swallow studies, a measure of stimulated total saliva production, a questionnaire of their perception of dry mouth, and a questionnaire on the nature of their oral intake at pretreatment until 12 months after treatment.
RESULTS: Saliva declined significantly from pretreatment to 12 months. Swallowing-related complaints increased significantly over the 12 months, especially in patients with lower saliva weights. Diet choices increased over time after treatment, except crunchy foods. Swallow measures did not relate to saliva weight.
CONCLUSIONS: Reduced saliva weight does not correlate with slowed or inefficient swallow. Instead, reduced saliva weight seems to change patients' perceptions of their swallowing ability and, on that basis, their diet choices.
Author List
Logemann JA, Pauloski BR, Rademaker AW, Lazarus CL, Mittal B, Gaziano J, Stachowiak L, MacCracken E, Newman LAAuthor
Barbara R. Pauloski PhD, CCC-SLP Associate Professor in the Communication Sciences & Disorders department at University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAged
Deglutition Disorders
Diet
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Oropharyngeal Neoplasms
Radiotherapy Dosage
Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
Surveys and Questionnaires
Xerostomia
