Comparison of the patients with dysphagia and the patients without dysphagia after head and neck treatment_ Only the significant results are presented
| Parameter | No Dysphagia | Dysphagia | P-Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| N = 64 | N = 45 | ||
| Swallowing vs. non-swallowing area | |||
| Oral cavity, oropharynx, | |||
| hypopharynx, larynx (N= 84) | 45 (70.3%) | 39 (86.7%) | 0.046 |
| Nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, | |||
| nasopharynx, metastases (N = 25) | 19 (29.7%) | 6 (13.3%) | |
| TNM stage* | |||
| Stages I-III | 41 (64.1%) | 17 (37.8%) | 0.005 |
| Stages IV | 17 (26.6%) | 23 (51.1%) | |
| Treatment modalities | |||
| Surgery | 19 (29.7%) | 3 (6.7%) | |
| RT or concurrent RT-CT | 15 (23.4%) | 11 ((24.4%) | |
| Surgery + RT or RT-CT | 30 (46.9%) | 31 (57.4%) | 0.010 |
| Role of RT | |||
| RT included in treatment | 45 (70.3%) | 42 (93.3%) | 0.002 |
| Therapy completed | |||
| Less than 2 years ago | 15 (23.4%) | 21 (46.7%) | 0.014 |
| Two years or more ago | 49 (76.6%) | 24 (53.3%) | |
| Oral problems | |||
| Mucosa irritability | 23 (35.9%) | 28 (62.2%) | 0.007 |
| Mouth wide opening | 5 (7.8%) | 15 (33.3%) | 0.001 |
| Thick and sticky saliva | 35 (54.7%) | 38 (84.4%) | 0.001 |
| Problems with chewing | 4 (6.3%) | 16 (35.6%) | 0.000 |
| Problems with | |||
| Feeding | 5 (7.8%) | 35 (77.8%) | 0.000 |
| Feeding in the presence of family | 3 (4.7%) | 28 (62.2%) | 0.000 |
| Feeding in the public | 7 (10.9%) | 36 (80%) | 0.000 |
| Enjoying food | 3 (4.7%) | 17 (37.7%) | 0.000 |
| Avoiding public areas | 18 (28.1%) | 34 (75.6%) | 0.020 |
| Loss of smell | 7 (10.9%) | 15 (33.3%) | 0.004 |
| Impaired taste | 18 (28.1%) | 34 (75.6%) | 0.000 |
| Acid reflux and heartburn | 18 (28.1%) | 22 (48.9%) | 0.027 |
| Pain | |||
| Oral pain | 4 (6.3%) | 14 (31.1%) | 0.001 |
| Throat pain | 12 (18.8%) | 18 (40%) | 0.014 |
| Persistent coughing | 30 (46.9%) | 38 (84.4%) | 0.000 |
| History of recurrent pneumonia | 2 (3.1%) | 7 (15.6%) | 0.031 |
| Presence of hoarseness | 25 (39.1%) | 28 (62.2%) | 0.017 |
| Loss of weight | 17 (26.6%) | 24 (53.3%) | 0.005 |
| Use of nutritional supplements | 6 (9.3%) | 16 (35.6%) | 0.001 |