Publication: Alleviation of dry mouth by saliva substitutes improved swallowing ability and clinical nutritional status of post-radiotherapy head and neck cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial
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Issued Date
2019-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
14337339
09414355
09414355
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-85075244614
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Mahidol University
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Supportive Care in Cancer. (2019)
Suggested Citation
Sumalee Nuchit, Aroonwan Lam-ubol, Wannaporn Paemuang, Sineepat Talungchit, Orapin Chokchaitam, On ong Mungkung, Tippawan Pongcharoen, Dunyaporn Trachootham Alleviation of dry mouth by saliva substitutes improved swallowing ability and clinical nutritional status of post-radiotherapy head and neck cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial. Supportive Care in Cancer. (2019). doi:10.1007/s00520-019-05132-1 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/52301
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Title
Alleviation of dry mouth by saliva substitutes improved swallowing ability and clinical nutritional status of post-radiotherapy head and neck cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial
Abstract
© 2019, The Author(s). Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of an edible saliva substitute, oral moisturizing jelly (OMJ), and a topical saliva gel (GC) on dry mouth, swallowing ability, and nutritional status in post-radiotherapy head and neck cancer patients. Methods: Sixty-two post-radiation head and neck cancer patients with xerostomia completed a blinded randomized controlled trial. They were advised to swallow OMJ (n = 31) or apply GC orally (n = 31) for 2 months. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline, 1, and 2 months, including subjective and objective dry mouth (Challcombe) scores, subjective swallowing problem scores (EAT-10), water swallowing time, clinical nutritional status (PG-SGA), body weight, and dietary intake. Results: After 1 and 2 months of interventions, subjective and objective dry mouth scores, subjective swallowing problem scores, swallowing times, and clinical nutritional status in both groups were significantly improved (p < 0.0001). Compared to GC, OMJ group had higher percent improvement in all outcome measures (p < 0.001) except swallowing time and clinical nutritional status. Interestingly, subjective dry mouth scores were significantly correlated with subjective swallowing problem scores (r = 0.5321, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Continuous uses of saliva substitutes (OMJ or GC) for at least a month improved signs and symptoms of dry mouth and enhanced swallowing ability. An edible saliva substitute was superior to a topical saliva gel for alleviating dry mouth and swallow problems. These lead to improved clinical nutritional status. Thus, palliation of dry mouth may be critical to support nutrition of post-radiotherapy head and neck cancer patients. Clinical trial registry: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03035825.