Quality of life in patients with dysphagia after radiation and chemotherapy treatment for head and neck tumors

2013

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze subjectively, using the SWAL-QOL questionnaire, swallowing dysfunction and associated factors after treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy in patients treated for head and neck cancer. Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, based on the selection of patients with tumors of the head and neck area, treated with radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy during the years 2000 to 2006 at the Oncology Institute of Juiz de Fora. The data were analyzed using SPSS 15.0 software, and were evaluated using the chi-square test to compare differences in proportions between groups. The statistical significance level was set at 5%. Result…