Relationship between oral intake, patient perceived swallowing impairment, and objective videofluoroscopic measures of swallowing in patients with head and neck cancer

Head Neck. 2019 Apr;41(4):1016-1023. doi: 10.1002/hed.25542. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Abstract

Background: We aimed to: (1) examine relationships between the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10), and objective measures of swallowing (Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile [MBSImP©] and penetration-aspiration scale [PAS]) in patients with head and neck cancer, (2) compare outcomes between oral intake vs tube-dependent patients, and (3) compare outcomes across time points.

Methods: A total of 58 patients with head and neck cancer completed the FOIS, EAT-10, and underwent a standardized videofluoroscopy (VFSS). VFSS were analyzed using the PAS and MBSImP©. Nonparametric analyses were performed.

Results: A relationship between the FOIS and EAT-10 (r = -0.46; P < .001) was revealed. No other associations were observed (P < .05). Feeding status did not impact PAS or MBSImP©; however, patients with head and neck cancer who were tube dependent demonstrated higher (worse) EAT-10 scores (P = .01).

Conclusions: In this cohort, a relationship between patient-perceived swallowing impairment and functional oral intake was revealed; however, no associations were observed between the FOIS and objective measures of swallowing impairment or swallowing safety.

Keywords: Functional Oral Intake Scale; Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile; head and neck cancer; outcome measure; penetration-aspiration scale.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cohort Studies
  • Databases, Factual
  • Deglutition / physiology
  • Deglutition Disorders / diagnostic imaging*
  • Deglutition Disorders / etiology*
  • Eating / physiology*
  • Female
  • Fluoroscopy / methods
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / mortality
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Reported Outcome Measures
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / mortality
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / pathology
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / surgery*
  • United States
  • Video Recording / methods*