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Quality of life in head and neck cancer patients after tumor therapy and subsequent rehabilitation: an exploratory study

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate patient-reported quality of life effects of post-treatment intraoral and extraoral rehabilitation in head and neck cancer by repeated measures.

Methods

Fifty-nine patients were involved. Basic socio-demographic, oncological and epidemiological data were gathered, and the type of rehabilitation was recorded. For the assessment of quality of life changes, two widely used brief questionnaires, the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Head and Neck module of the European Organization of Research and Treatment for Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, were used. The questionnaires were administered to patients two times: the first time after tumor therapy, but before rehabilitation (upon arriving for rehabilitation) and the second time 6 months after the application of any particular method of rehabilitation. Quality of life data were gathered prospectively, while socio-demographic data were gathered from patient files.

Results

Quality of life after rehabilitation was significantly enhanced as compared to the post-treatment status, in all domains of both questionnaires (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, Mann–Whitney U).

Conclusions

The results support the hypothesis that post-treatment maxillofacial rehabilitation in head and neck cancer does not only restore lost physical capabilities, but also brings about profound changes in patients’ quality of life in general.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Szeged, Tisza Lajos krt. 64, 6720, Szeged, Hungary

    Judit Nagy, Gábor Braunitzer, Csaba Berkovits, Péter Novák & Katalin Nagy

  2. Department of Esthetic and Operative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary

    Márk Antal

Authors
  1. Judit Nagy
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  2. Gábor Braunitzer
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  3. Márk Antal
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  4. Csaba Berkovits
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  5. Péter Novák
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  6. Katalin Nagy
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Correspondence to Márk Antal.

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Nagy, J., Braunitzer, G., Antal, M. et al. Quality of life in head and neck cancer patients after tumor therapy and subsequent rehabilitation: an exploratory study. Qual Life Res 23, 135–143 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-013-0446-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-013-0446-1

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